Pitchman Dies Of Apparent Suicide While Awaiting Trial

[maxima191]

Donald Lapre Dead: Pitchman Dies Of Apparent Suicide While Awaiting Trial

10/ 3/11 12:52 AM ET AP
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PHOENIX — A U.S. Marshals Service spokesman says a Phoenix-based TV pitchman charged with running a nationwide scheme to sell essentially worthless Internet-based businesses has died in an apparent suicide while in federal custody.

Spokesman Matt Hershey says Donald Lapre was found dead in his cell at a Florence facility Sunday morning. His trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday.

Hershey says the death remains under investigation.

A grand jury indicted Lapre in June on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering. He was accused of overseeing and promoting the opportunity through his company called "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."

The government says at least 220,000 victims in the scheme were defrauded of nearly $52 million.

Lapre's death was first reported by Fox 10 News in Phoenix.

[steveg78]

Chicken should have had the guts to stay and face the musuc.

[rrickir]

kinda sad,, but shows threres p rollly so many more like that out there on the internet with fake businesses,,is a shame we all have to b e sooo careful...