Man faces stiff sentence
2008-04-24 14:07
New York - A businessman who sold Viagra-laced chocolate as a food supplement called "Boom" was indicted on Wednesday for mail fraud by a federal judge, and faces 20 years in jail if found guilty.
Tibor Liska pleaded guilty of selling by mail about 12 000 packets a month of sildenafil - a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction sold under various names, including Viagra - mixed with chocolate and herbs, US Attorney Michael Garcia said.
The "Boom" food supplements were distributed between March 2006 and November 2007 through the Yoi Jin Sei company in the United States, Australia, Colombia, Switzerland, Russia, Argentina, Japan and Slovakia, Garcia added.
The publicity surrounding the product said it contained plant-based food supplements, without specifying that it contained a drug that requires a prescription and could have side effects.
Liska was charged with mail fraud and could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years behind bars and fined up to $250 000 if found guilty, Garcia said.
He is due for trial on July 25.
- AFP