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Infomercial pitchman wins jail reprieve

CHICAGO, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- An infomercial pitchman whose supporters bombarded a Chicago judge with hundreds of e-mails has won a temporary reprieve from jail, his lawyer says.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is letting Kevin Trudeau remain free while it decides his appeal of a 30-day contempt of court sentence, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

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U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman found Trudeau in contempt last week for encouraging his supporters in a lawsuit to send e-mail messages to Gettleman.

The judge called the move a deliberate attempt to "harass, intimidate and influence" him.

Trudeau went to court Thursday fully expecting to be sent to jail.

Instead, his attorney, Kimball Anderson, said they received notice that he could remain free until the appeals court renders a decision on his contempt of court citation.

Oral arguments are set for Tuesday.

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