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June 28, 2005
Drug spam kings on the lam
Why is so hard to control the spam problem through laws? Maybe its because some spammers are outlaws, pure and simple.
Consider this new twist in the case of two die-hard spam kings who have illegally fled the country to launch a new Internet pharmacy business.
On June 24, the U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota filed a motion asking a federal court to hold Christopher William Smith, a Minnesota spammer and online pharmacy operator, along with an associate, Florida spammer Creaghan Harry, in civil contempt of court.
According to court papers, Smith (aka Rizler) used an illegal or fake passport to leave the country in late May, shortly after a May 20 court-ordered shutdown of his company, Xpress Pharmacy Direct. (Judging by this anonymously created site, Smith was quite handy at creating fake documents.)
Smith is now believed to be in the Dominican Republic setting up a new online pharmacy. Authorities allege that Smith has managed to illegally tap into some of the more than $18 million in court-frozen bank funds and other assets to finance the operation.
The government claims that Harry is a long-term friend and associate of Smith and served as a groomsman at his wedding. Over a four-month period in late 2004, Harry received more than $2 million in commissions from Smith for drug sales generated by Harry's Dominican Republic-based telemarketing call center, according to the feds.
Prosecutors say that Harry is now operating at least one of Smith's online drugstores (mypillsrefills.com) shut down by the court order. Harry is also telemarketing to former Xpress Pharmacy Direct customers, likely using a database of 100,000 customer records provided by Smith in violation of a May 15 temporary restraining order.
Harry's company goes by names including "American's Best," "Med Sources," and "Online Pharmacy" and he uses the toll-free number 800-487-6217.
Harry recently settled a human growth hormone (HGH) spamming case with the Federal Trade Commission. Under the deal, Harry agreed not to make false or misleading statements in sales over the Internet.
In early June, Smith tried to have $300,000 in cash FedEx'ed to him from former employees, but the money was intercepted by federal authorities. Prosecutors believe Smith has arranged to have large sums of cash hand delivered to him in the Dominican Republic by various individuals, including his girlfriend.
Smith's accountant, Bruce Lieberman, allegedly has been trying to set up new credit card merchant accounts for Smith. Lieberman, a resident of New York, is also named as a defendant in the government's motion for a contempt ruling.
One legal expert said Smith's brazen flouting of the May 20 decree could backfire.
"Now, the judge and the government are highly motivated to find him and all of his money, not just the stray pennies lying around in US banks," said the lawyer, who asked not to be identified.
Posted by brian at June 28, 2005 11:58 AM
Comments
I hope Chris Smith burns in HELL!!! He is a sick individual that knowingly and willing sold fake medications!!! I really hope he did not kill anyone in the process. I do know that a few went to the hospital. What he should be convicted of is attempted murder.
Posted by: RDST at July 1, 2005 12:20 AM
maybe ask maureen about that
Posted by: cheryl at August 19, 2005 4:24 PM
I would like to gat a hold of Mr Smith and talk to him in person or by e-mail.. If anyone knows how please let me know, Thankay B
Posted by: Ray Buckland at August 20, 2005 11:30 PM
Maybe contact the U.S. Attorney's office. http://www.startribune.com/stories/467/5577218.html
Posted by: Beavis at August 24, 2005 4:47 PM
ey..fuck everyone who has shit to say about chris.. he was like a second father to me.. he did soo much for me.. FUCK YOU GAYY ASS-FUCKERS WHO THINK DIIFERENT ABOUT HIM! YOU ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT SHOULD BURN IN HELL FOR THAT SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: at March 23, 2006 12:43 AM
haha. your dad is about to get ass pounded in prison. haha.
Posted by: at March 24, 2006 5:03 PM
Ha ha ... I hope his ass gets pounded pretty LONG and HARD (as his ads suggest!).
Even if you plan to defend your criminal Dad, try defending him with valid points (i.e. if you have any) .. not by saying something as vivid and well-explained as "He did so much for me" - Oh, and by the way, fuck you as well!
Posted by: Anon at March 25, 2006 2:11 PM
