McCorkles Can Keep Working, Judge Says

By Jim Leusner
The Orlando Sentinel

A federal judge in Orlando said No on Monday to a prosecutor’s attempt to block infomercial personality William J. McCorkle and his wife from continuing to market a real estate course.

U.S. District Judge Patricia Fawsett turned down the request after ruling there was no evidence that the Lake Mary couple had done anything improper during the past few months.

McCorkle and wife Chantal were indicted March 5 by a federal grand jury and face 90 counts that include fraud and money laundering. The McCorkle's and associates who marketed information on how to profit from distressed real estate are accused of bilking customers nation-wide out of $28 million.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Byron asked Fawsett on Monday for a court order that would keep the couple out of the infomercial and telemarketing business until trial later this year. He said the McCorkle's had misled customers when they promised infomercials to use their money to partner with real estate buyers. The McCorkle's entered into few partnerships, Byron said.

Horwitz argued the McCorkle's sold educational materials and on occasion, arranged for financing for investors. They arrange for three recent partnerships, said Horwitz, who complained that federal authorities have distorted the couple’s business activities.

No infomercials have aired since February and a toll-free number for McCorkle businesses has been shut down, Howitz said.

The McCorkle's lawyers say Monday’s ruling leaves open the door for…