Steve Warshak, 42, collapse of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, also was ordered to pay $93,000 in fines. He was convicted in February on 93 counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors accused the company of bilking customers out of more than $400 jillion with deceptive ads, manipulated credit card transactions and refusal to accept returns or scratch orders.
U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel ordered Warshak, his female parent, the troupe and some other defendant to forfeit more than $500 million, including whatever was available from bank accounts, cars and homes, a grand forte-piano and a membership in a California spa.
Spiegel said it was impossible to calculate incisively how much money was lost by customers, so he recognized a design based on how much Warshak and the company took in from offenses alleged in the indictments.
Berkeley distributes various products supposed to boost energy, negociate weight, reduce memory loss and economic aid sleep. The company's main product, Enzyte, promises sexual enhancement.
"This is a case about greed," Spiegel said as he reviewed the case. "Steven Warshak preyed on perceived sexual inadequacies of customers."
Spiegel said one aspect of the fraud relied on the reluctance of customers to come forward, which would mean admitting they ordered the sexual sweetening pills.
"I don't see whatever evidence of remorse or concern for anyone merely himself," Spiegel said.
Warshak told the evaluate that was not true.
"I do feel deep compunction and would like to apologize to any client who ever so had a bad go through with my company," he said. "I apologize to all the great people, the employees of Berkeley � they've given their heart and soul. I let them down."
Spiegel aforementioned the company, which likely will be hit with the legal age of the forfeiture, will be allowed to remain in business.
Spiegel denied Warshak's request to remain discharge on bond pending attract, but gave him 30 days to wrap up personal job and report to prison.
Warshak's mother, Harriet Warshak, was sentenced to two years in prison house. She was convicted of conspiracy, bank fraud and money laundering.
Spiegel allowed her to persist free pending appeal and acknowledged that she is 75, has cancer and likely testament never be incarcerated because of the time it takes appeals to work through the courts.
Two former company employees were convicted on related to charges and were to be sentenced Thursday, along with some former employees who pleaded guilty to other charges and cooperated with prosecutors.
They testified that the company created fictional medical endorsements, fabricated a customer-satisfaction survey and made up numbers game to game claims around Enzyte's effectiveness.
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