FTC sues to block bogus diabetes ‘cure’ marketing

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Federal regulators are suing to block pamphlet and newsletter publishers from marketing a purported cure for diabetes and advertising claims that consumers can collect $1 trillion in “Congressional Checks” or “Republican Checks.”

In a lawsuit filed Thursday in Maryland, the Federal Trade Commission says publishers of “The Doctor’s Guide to Reversing Diabetes in 28 Days” are falsely promising a cure for the disease without dietary changes or exercise.

The FTC’s suit says other publications are duping consumers into thinking they can collect hundreds of thousands of dollars per month by following instructions in a book entitled, “Congress’ Secret $1.17 Trillion Giveaway.”

Five Baltimore-based companies, including Agora Financial LLC and NewMarket Health LLC, and two men identified as editors of the pamphlets and newsletters are named as defendants in the suit.

The FTC’s suit seeks a court order that would freeze the companies’ assets and provide restitution or refunds for consumers.

The publications’ editors, Zachary Scheidt and Richard Gerhauser, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment. A woman who answered a telephone number for Agora Financial said she couldn’t take a message for Scheidt. A woman who answered the phone at a business listing for Gerhauser in Arizona said he was “on sabbatical.”

The FTC’s suit says the defendants’ products offer “health advice and moneymaking tips” targeted to senior citizens or retirees.