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    'King of Infomercials' Don Lapre Dies of Apparent Suicide

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    Don Lapre, who was arrested in June on charges of fraud and related offenses, was found dead in his cell at an Arizona prison Sunday, according to officials. Authorities today said the death was being approached as a possible suicide, although it was still under investigation.

    Lapre was known as the "King of the Infomercials," a title he self-applied due to his hold over late-night television throughout the 1990s. He became so well-known at one point that he even prompted a spoof on "Saturday Night Live" by performer David Spade and jokes on "Late Night with David Letterman."

    Lapre made his first informercial fortune on claims he knew how to make "$50,000 a week" by selling newspaper ads to companies promoting 1-900 numbers. He made money off of selling his "secrets to success" in late-night television ads.

    That stopped at some point, and Lapre switched to marketing "The Greatest Vitamin in the World," which he would tell you how to sell for staggering profits. If you would send $39.95 plus shipping and handling, that is.

    In June, Lapre was indicted for 41 counts of conspiracy and fraud. The case involved the claims of about 222,000 people and approximately $52 million. The charges came four years after Lapre was sent a "cease and desist" order from the USDA for claims he and his company made about the effectiveness of "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."

    Lapre's charges more specifically included mail fraud, promotional money laundering, wire fraud and conspiracy. The 47-year-old's trial was due to start in a few days, covering charges due to his business practices from 2004 to 2007, when his company was forcibly shut down. No charges had been filed against his infomercial claims and businesses of the 90's.

    If he had been convicted, Lapre faced hefty fines and a long confinement in prison. Each successful charge against him would have resulted in $250,000 to $500,000 in penalties and a total federal prison term for all charges would have equaled five to 25 years.

     

    75 comments

    • Clay  •  7 mths ago
      First Billy Mays and now this guy. Warning to the guy selling the shamwow you may want to quit while you are ahead.
      • WildBillCody 7 mths ago
        The Sham-wow guy needs a movie career! He could play EEK the cat in a Bloomfield movie!
      • xtombguard 7 mths ago
        At least Billy Mays pushed a product that worked.....
      • Brian S (brianguy) 7 mths ago
        you know, they always go in THREES.
    • The MeXorcist  •  7 mths ago
      "But Wait ! ...There's More".
    • I see London I see France  •  7 mths ago
      Shazam! I hope he enjoyed his ill-gotten gains while he was among the living. I wouldn't want to be a middle-aged man thrown in among the sodomites in prison, but if he cared anything about his kids he wouldn't have offed himself.
      • WildBillCody 7 mths ago
        If he cared anything about his kids, he made sure they were filthy rich with hidden cash in Carribean banks.
    • Larry  •  7 mths ago
      Did they really wait 'til folks were out 50 mil before shutting this dude down? Quick work ...
    • Ryuk  •  7 mths ago
      Who watches infomercials anyway?
    • guest  •  7 mths ago
      I would call the Ronco guy or Billy Mays the king of infomercials. Not this guy.
      • spanky 7 mths ago
        Right...Ron Popiel (Ronco)(The Popiel Pocket Fishermen) knew #$%$ well how to make an honest buck. Where that guy got his idea from I'll never know
    • *Smile*  •  7 mths ago
      There's many more shysters than him out there...sad thing is people fall for it!.
      • WildBillCody 7 mths ago
        In the end this guy had a sense of honor though, hence offing himself.
    • steve  •  7 mths ago
      Did he use the Ginsu Knife or the Banjo Minnow
    • duke  •  7 mths ago
      He did the right thing.Death before dishonor.
      • Diana 7 mths ago
        lol...He was dishonorable long before his death.
    • Jimmy Dean  •  7 mths ago
      Cockroach
    • UK lion  •  7 mths ago
      News title should read "A guilty conscience works miracle for its victims".
    • m  •  7 mths ago
      Lapre did not even bother with a trial with all of his scam money for lawyers. With all the loopholes and mistrials, he could have avoided prison.
    • L.K.N.  •  7 mths ago
      For the LOVE of MONEY!
    • smatry pants  •  7 mths ago
      some people just cannot face up to the hurt they have caused other people so they take this way out.
    • jesse woodson james  •  7 mths ago
      good riddance. He stole money from the stupid
    • I Am Who I Am  •  7 mths ago
      they should charge the fools who bought his crap as idiots
    • X  •  7 mths ago
      ...and not a single fhuck was given.
    • Larry  •  7 mths ago
      he didnt commit suicide; his jail cell tv got stuck in a perpetitual infomercial which like everyone else, finally got the best of him
    • James  •  7 mths ago
      No pictures?
    • Isaac  •  7 mths ago
      Hmmm cant put his name to a face so i guess not that important...In other news no iPhone 5 just an iPhone 4s....LOL
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