'Miracle' diet pill maker gets 20 years in prison

The Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A man who peddled miracle weight loss has been sentenced in South Florida to 20 years in federal prison.

Frank Sarcona was convicted in October of 29 felony counts regarding his "Lipoban" product, which purported to absorb fat.

Sarcona faced up to 33 years at the Friday hearing, but Judge Kenneth Marra afforded leniency.

Though the 58-year-old reaped huge returns - $10 million on Lipoban, and millions more on other products - his attorney argued he didn't financially ruin any victims. Lipoban cost about $60 a bottle.

Sarcona has spent years tangling with regulators, receiving up to 13 state or federal cease-and-desist orders since 1984.

He allegedly formed Lipoban just months after cutting a deal with the Federal Trade Commission regarding another supplement.

Sarcona's attorney vows to appeal the sentence.