Marshals arrest Phoenix-based TV pitchman
Photographer: U.S. Marshals Service
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 06/23/2011
PHOENIX - A Phoenix-based TV pitchman who failed to show for his arraignment was taken into custody Thursday evening after an Arizona judge issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
Deputy U.S. Marshals reportedly captured Donald Lapre in the area of Warner Road and Priest Drive in Tempe.
Lapre is charged with running a nationwide scheme to sell essentially worthless Internet-based businesses.
A grand jury indicted him on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering. He's accused of encouraging people to sell worthless vitamins through a company called "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."
The government says at least 220,000 people were defrauded of nearly $52 million.
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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