According to his attorney, Kevin Trudeau is a best-selling author, motivational speaker and a big proponent of a healthy diet, including organic food.
According to the government, he's basically a liar. According to his infomercials, he had a secret formula for weight loss that allowed you to eat whatever you wanted.
Whether that is true or not is not at issue in this trial, however. Trudeau is facing charges of contempt of court for allegedly violating an agreement that he signed with the Federal Trade Commission to settle a case back in 2004. In that case, he promised not to misrepresent the truth in his advertising.
Two years later, however, the government says he made deceptive statements while trying to sell a weight loss book.
"He lied about what was in his book. He did it to sell more books and make more money," said Marc Krickbuam, Asst. U.S. Attorney.
Defense attorneys say Trudeau is indeed allowed to offer his opinions, and all of his opinions are backed up in the book.
Testimony in the trial begins Wednesday morning.
