A Media Frenzy
The arrests started a media frenzy. Here is what Attorney General John Ashcroft said when he spoke to the media: “Those involved in this type of corruption will find out that breaking the law is no game.” As the news came out, Americans across the nation were shocked to hear that they were all duped for such a long time. Jacobson soon became the butt of the jokes. Here is what one newscaster told him: “Are you worried the police are going to take him down the station and give him a grilling?… I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.” As the suspect, Jacobson was interrogated for six hours. Agent Dent showed him the evidence that they had on him. In the weeks that followed, he gave the FBI documents that he believed would prove that Simon Marketing rigged the contests to swindle customers in Canada.
A Media Frenzy
He Was Given Nine Charges
Jacobson had nine charges that came with a five-year penalty, so investigators told him that he was going to be 104 years old when he could get out. In reference to his multiple sclerosis diagnosis, he simply said, “I wouldn’t be getting out.” In exchange for his testimony and confession in court, he pleaded guilty to three charges and was handed 15 years behind bars. On top of that, he had to pay back the money he owed. The total was $12.5 million! In Lawrenceville, his neighbors watched as his vehicles were all taken away by the authorities. But what happened to the other people involved in the scam?
He Was Given Nine Charges
