Supplement
Makers Busted
Scottsdale
AZ, 30 May 2002
State
and federal agents seized assets of C.P. Direct, Inc., which marketed
supplements for penis and breast enlargement. Geraldine Consoli,
Michael Consoli, and Vincent Passafiume, the operators of the company
are accused of fraud, theft, money laundering and racketeering.
A
spokesperson for the Arizona Attorney General's office, Pati Urias,
said the state took this action because it had reasonable suspicion
of fraud and had heard from "a good number" of victims.
The
pills cost $59.99 plus shipping and handling for a month's supply
and $39.99 a month thereafter -- but cost only $2.50 per bottle
to produce.
This
was not the first time these individuals had run afoul of Arizona
law. In 1996, the Consolis settled consumer fraud allegations with
the state; in 1999, a Superior Court order prohibited the Consolis
and Passafiume from doing business in Arizona through the mail or
Internet.
The
seized assets included luxury cars, including a Lamborghini, Rolls
Royce, Ferrari and Bentley, $20 million in bank accounts, $3 million
in cash, and jewelry.
A
healthy dose of skepticism is any consumer's best defense against
fraud: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you
suspect fraud, get more information: Call the Better Business Bureau
in the organization's home town; check with the fraud office of
the state or federal Attorney General.
Sources
Natural
Products Insider news.
Yahoo
health news.
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