Donald Lapre, the "King of Infomercials." (Photo courtesy of Creative Commons)

Donald Lapre, 47, was accused of defrauding more than 200,000 people through several informercials between April 2003 and October 2007. Carrying the self-proclaimed title "King of Infomercials," Lapre was scheduled to stand trial next October.

From MSNBC:

Lapre had been charged with conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, promotional money laundering and transactional money laundering.
Authorities said Lapre and others were able to get investors to buy worthless Internet-based businesses that primarily sold the vitamins from April 2003 through October 2007.

The federal grand jury indictment, made public in June, revealed that that 226,794 people had signed up for the scheme, losing an estimated $51.8 million.

Lapre was arrested earlier this year after failing to appear in court for his arraignment.

Police say Lapre's death is still under investigation.