Source: Brandweek
Most people have never heard of Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals or its controversial CEO, Steve Warshak. But many people are familiar with Berkeley’s largest brand, Enzyte, which bills itself as “the once-a-day tablet for natural male enhancement.” Enzyte is promoted heavily on late-night cable TV with commercials that feature “Smiling Bob.” In the spots, Bob grins his way through golf games and pool parties while a double-entendre-laced voiceover talks about “working with wood,” and “a big new swing of confidence.” The product itself promises “fuller, firmer erections.”

Don’t laugh—Enzyte and Berkeley are serious business. At its peak the company grossed almost $250 million in annual sales and had more than 1,500 employees, making it one of Cincinnati’s major employers. But a considerable portion of Berkeley’s business is fraudulent, federal prosecutors say, because about $100 million of the company’s revenue over the years came from repeatedly billing thousands of customer’s credit cards for refills they did not order. [more]