Posted by Garth on January 28, 1999 at 15:41:47:
Infomercial couple begin prison sentences after conviction
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 26 (UPI) - The husband and wife team from Orlando, Fla., who mastered the art of television infomercial sales begin prison sentences after conviction on a host of federal charges.
Infomercial king William McCorkle and his wife Chantal were each sentenced to 24 years and four months in prison in federal court.
They were convicted in November of more than 70 counts of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering for selling courses that promised to make customers rich, but failed to put money into anyone’s pockets but theirs.
Refunds promised in the televised ads were slow or non-existent, but the Florida Attorney General’s Office expects to be able to give some refunds from the couple’s confiscated assets.
Chantal McCorkle sobbed loudly when the sentence was read while her husband sat in silence. She is a native of Great Britain and has asked to serve her time there to be near her parents.
Attorneys Mark Horwitz and F. Lee Bailey, who represented the couple, said the sentences were too harsh and appeals will be filed.
U.S. Attorney Paul Byron said the sentence was similar to what small drug dealers are given and he felt it was fair.
Copyright 1999 by United Press International.