An Illinois man was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for selling a bogus medical device inspired by the TV show "Star Trek," reports New York Daily News.
Howard Levanthal, of Grayslake, Ill., solicited more than $26 million from investors for a device that allegedly functioned like a tricorder — a fictional hand-held device used for sensor scanning, data analysis and recording data in "Star Trek."
According to government officials, Mr. Levanthal forged the signature of Glenda Yeates, Canada's former deputy health commissioner, in agreements he presented to the investors. He was caught when he attempted to defraud an undercover FBI agent and plead guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in 2013, according to the report.
Along with five years of jail time, Mr. Leventhal must also complete three years of supervised release and pay $1.3 million in forfeiture and restitution.