Charles B. Hensley
Charles B. Hensley | |
|---|---|
 2013 | |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (PhD, 1988) |
Charles B. Hensley is an American businessman. In 1997 he invented and developed Zicam, a homeopathic patent medicine for the common cold.[1][2]
Business ventures and legal issues
[edit]Pharmaceuticals
[edit]In 1997, he invented and developed Zicam, a homeopathic patent medicine for the common cold.[1][3]
In 2001, he formed PRB Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to develop antiviral drugs aimed at emerging viral disease. In 2011, after a six-year investigation, Hensley was charged with federal violations stemming from his marketing a drug for bird flu without FDA approval.[4] Subsequently, all charges save one misdemeanor were dropped. Hensley was sentenced to three years' probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and perform 400 hours of community service.[5]
Desilu
[edit]In 2016, Hensley and his partners acquired the registered trademark for Desilu, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's defunct production company. In 2018, Desilu Studios filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against CBS over the Desilu mark. CBS subsequently filed a counter-suit against Hensley, Desilu Corporation and Desilu Studios.[6][7]
On August 10, 2022, federal prosecutors in Los Angeles indicted Hensley on fraud and identity theft charges, alleging he used the Desilu name to scam investors. Hensley has been charged with 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors said Hensley collected $331,000 from investors, money that was used for his personal expenses including trips to Las Vegas.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Matrixx Initiatives Inc. - Overview". Archived from the original on 2010-08-28. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ Zicam: Label data, National Institutes of Health
- ^ Zicam: Label data, National Institutes of Health
- ^ Pfeifer, Stuart (June 2, 2011). "Zicam inventor arrested, accused of illegal marketing of flu drug". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ^ "Inventor Of Zicam Gets 3 Years Probation For Unapproved Bird Flu Remedy". losangeles.cbslocal.com. CBS Local Media. April 26, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
- ^ Evans, Greg (2018-10-31). "CBS Lawsuit Claims "Desilu Studios" Brand Was Used To Dupe Investors". Deadline. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
- ^ Yee, Gregory (2022-08-12). "How Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's old studio became backdrop for an alleged investment scam". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2022-08-21.
- ^ Chapman, Wilson (2022-08-11). "Man Indicted on Fraud and Identity Theft Charges for Using Desilu Name in Alleged Investment Scam". Variety. Retrieved 2022-08-15.