Court spares infomercial pitchman from jail

[May 21, 2010]  CHICAGO (AP) -- An appeals court in Chicago has ruled that an infomercial pitchman won't have to serve a 30-day jail sentence for getting his supporters to flood a federal judge's e-mail inbox.

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed Kevin Trudeau's contempt of court conviction on Thursday. It says a judge cannot find a defendant in contempt on the spot and without a hearing unless the offending action occurred in the presence of the judge.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman found Trudeau in contempt after his computer and BlackBerry were jammed with e-mails from Trudeau's supporters. Gettleman argued that a contempt ruling was appropriate because his computer was part of his court.

The judge has overseen a long-running legal battle between Trudeau and the Federal Trade Commission.

[Associated Press]

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