William J. McCorkle

The Lamborghini-Driving Face of Real Estate Infomercial Fraud

In the 1990s, few late-night infomercials were more jaw-dropping than those featuring William J. McCorkle. With flashy jewelry, rented Lamborghinis, private jets, and beachfront mansions, McCorkle and his wife Chantal promised viewers they could become just as rich—if only they ordered his real estate success program.

But behind the scenes, McCorkle’s glamorous empire wasn’t what it seemed.

Selling the Dream—Literally

McCorkle’s infomercials followed a now-familiar format: an “ordinary guy” who claimed to have cracked the code to easy wealth through government auctions and real estate flipping. His commercials included shots of him and Chantal enjoying luxury living, often with voiceovers like:

“You could be living the lifestyle you deserve.”

His “system” was sold through a book and videotape course, often with promises that no prior experience or capital was needed. Customers were led to believe they could start making thousands overnight.

Flashy Image, Fabricated Wealth

While the infomercials projected opulence and success, federal investigators eventually uncovered the truth: the jets were chartered, the cars were leased, and the homes were rented—all for show. The entire setup was a marketing illusion meant to convince people that McCorkle had “made it” and that they could too.

The scheme drew millions of dollars from hopeful customers, many of whom found that the material was vague, ineffective, or misleading.

The FBI Gets Involved

In 1998, William and Chantal McCorkle were arrested and later convicted on multiple counts of mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. Authorities said the McCorkles had scammed consumers out of over $30 million.

They were sentenced to more than 24 years in prison, one of the harshest penalties ever handed down for an infomercial-related fraud at the time. Their story became a case study in deceptive advertising and consumer exploitation.

From TV Star to Federal Inmate

The fall of William J. McCorkle was as dramatic as his infomercials. Once beamed into millions of homes promising the American Dream, he ended up in federal prison, his empire dissolved, and his legacy tarnished by greed.

In interviews years later, McCorkle expressed regret and even tried to present himself as reformed. But his name remains a cautionary tale in the world of direct-response marketing.

A Lasting Infomercial Cautionary Tale

While pitchmen like Billy Mays are remembered fondly for their enthusiastic, honest product sales, McCorkle represents the darker side of the infomercial boom—a time when flashy production could mask financial deception.

Today, his commercials are archived online and watched as bizarre relics of a more naive time in TV marketing.