Creative Concepts of America, Inc. (Red Bull Energy Drink)

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Most recent update 3/3/11 (See end of document)

U.S. v. Andrew Levinson, Corina Guillott, Edward Perl, Alan Perl, and Adriana Mirabal, 10-CR-60183 (SD Fla.)

7/26/10 Update:

On June 22, 2010, a federal grand jury in Miami, Florida, returned a 16-count conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud indictment against Andrew Levinson, Corina Guillott, Edward Perl, Alan Perl, and Adriana Mirabal. The indictment alleges that from approximately June 2005 through June 2006, Levinson, Alan and Edward Perl, Mirabal, Guillott, and others conspired to sell fraudulent Red Bull energy drink business opportunities to customers nationwide under the name Creative Concepts of America, Inc.  Charges in an indictment are only allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

All of the defendants have been brought before the federal magistrate in Ft. Lauderdale for an initial appearance and arraignment. They have all pled not guilty.  The defendants are free on bond while waiting for trial.  Trial is set for August 2, 2010.  Three defendants have filed motions to continue the August 2, 2010, trial date.

The case is assigned to Judge James Cohn in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

8/17/10 Update:

On August 9, 2010, the court set a new trial date of January 24, 2011.  The trial will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, before Judge James I. Cohn.

12/6/10 Update:

On September 28, 2010, a federal grand jury in Miami, Florida, returned a 21-count conspiracy, mail fraud, and wire fraud superseding indictment against Andrew Levinson, Corina Guillott, Edward Perl, Alan Perl, and Adriana Mirabal.  The allegations in the superseding indictment are similar to the allegations in the original indictment but include 5 additional counts or charges.  All of the defendants have been arraigned on the superseding indictment.  Trial of this case is still set to begin on January 24, 2011.

On November 12, 2010, Corina Guillott pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Her sentencing hearing has been set for February 25, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. in Ft. Lauderdale.

12/22/10 Update:

On December 20, 2010, Adriana Mirabal pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.  Her sentencing hearing has been set for March 4, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. in Ft. Lauderdale.

3/3/11 Update:

The trial against defendants Andrew Levinson, Edward Perl, and Alan Perl – the head of Creative Concepts, and two references for Creative Concepts, respectively – began on January 24, 2011.  During the two-week trial, 21 witnesses took the stand.  On February 9, 2011, the jury found Levinson guilty on all counts: conspiracy, thirteen counts of wire fraud, and three counts of mail fraud.  They found Edward Perl guilty of eight counts of wire fraud, and Alan Perl guilty of seven counts of wire fraud.   Sentencing for all three defendants is scheduled for April 22, 2011.