Promoters of Penis-Enlargement Pills Busted in Arizona

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--More than $30 million in assets was seized by state and federal agents from a company that sold "bogus" penis- and breast-enlargement pills over the Internet. Three people, including a 76-year-old woman and her son, operated the company, C.P. Direct Inc.; the operators are accused of fraud, theft, money laundering and racketeering.

This was not the trio's first contact with the Arizona court system. In 1996, Geraldine Consoli and Michael Consoli settled consumer fraud allegations with the state. In 1999, the Consolis and Vincent Passafiume agreed to a Superior Court order prohibiting them from owning or operating any business utilizing the mail, Internet or other telecommunication device for retail sales.

According to Pati Urias, spokeswoman for the Arizona Attorney General's office, the current action was taken because the state had reasonable suspicion of fraud and had heard from a "good number" of victims. The main product, Longitude, sold for between $40 and $60 per bottle and was promoted for its ability to "permanently" enlarge the penis.

Among the assets seized by the Attorney General, U.S. Customs Service and Arizona Department of Public Safety were Arizona and Nevada bank accounts, cash, jewelry, property and more than 10 luxury automobiles. The company's Web sites were also closed.