Marshall Sylver

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Marshall Sylver, born Marshall Walter Sylwesterzak, is a performance hypnotist and salesman who works primarily in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Contents

[edit] Criminal history and legal problems

[edit] Indictment for Theft

As reported in Thestreet.com, Sylver was "the target of a Nevada attorney general probe for allegedly bilking consumers through a 'Millionaire Mentorship Program' he operated out of his mansion. Sylver charged participants $5,000 apiece, with the promise they would double their money through his investment strategies or be entitled to a refund. Not only were many participants denied refunds, the attorney general discovered, but some were even teaching Sylver's Millionaire classes to pay off their own training debts."[1]

On April 14, 2003, a grand jury indicted Sylver on nine felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses.[2] At Sylver's trial, the jury deadlocked, 10-2, prompting District Judge Valerie Vega to declare a mistrial. Nevada Deputy Attorney General Tracey Brierly pledged to retry the case.[3]

Five of the nine witnesses against Sylver were able to eventually get their money back by winning civil judgments against him in small claims court.[4]

[edit] Arrest for Counterfeiting

Sylver served jail time for counterfeiting $50 bills.[5]

[edit] Lawsuit over Gambling Debts

The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas filed a lawsuit against Sylver, alleging he amassed over $200,000 in gambling debts.[6]

[edit] Unsatisfactory Business Rating

Sylver's company -- "Mind Power, Inc." -- has an unsatisfactory record with the Better Business Bureau of Nevada "due to unresolved complaints." The Bureau has also been unable to confirm if Sylver's company has a valid local business license.[7]

[edit] Popular Culture

Sylver was parodied on Mr. Show with Bob and David in a sketch called "Power, Profit, and Passion," in which he was portrayed as "Marshall," Jesus Christ's thirteenth apostle -- "the premier hypnotist in Galilee" -- who attempts to sell loaves and fishes to Christ's disciples for "12 drachmas apiece." Eventually, Christ fires Marshall, and Marshall is commanded by God to "leave everybody alone."

Sylver was also featured in Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Davis, Melissa (2002-07-04). Pre-Paid Legal's Colorful Workforce. TheStreet.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.
  2. ^ "Hypnotist indicted on nine felony theft counts", Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2003-04-15. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  3. ^ Kalil, J.M.. "Mistrial declared in hypnotist theft case", Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2003-12-20. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  4. ^ Kalil, J.M.. "Hypnotist on trial, accused of bilking customers in self-help program", Las Vegas Review-Journal, 2003-12-08. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  5. ^ Grimes, William. "Back on the Road, Tracking the Red, White and Odd", NY Times, 2007-02-07. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  6. ^ Knapp, George. "Hypnotist Facing New Problems", KLAS-TV. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 
  7. ^ "BBB Reliability Report: Mind Power, Inc.", Better Business Bureau Serving Southern Nevada. Retrieved on 2007-10-23. 

[edit] External links