Story Published:
Feb 14, 2006 at 2:17 PM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 2:12 AM PDT
SEATTLE - The state calls him a modern day snake oil salesman.
Dennis Lee sells engines that he claims run on pickle juice, and lasers that can see into the human body.
But the State Attorney General says he's a fraud, and he wants Lee out of the state.
Lee travels the country selling truly amazing-sounding products.
"Okay, Insect-a-shield, you won't have to worry about D-con spray or any of that hazardous junk," in an on-line advertisement, he's pitching insect killer that is so safe, he says as he's drinking a glass of milky-looking liquid, "and the cool thing about this is, you can drink it."
Lee pitches paint that can replace your home's insulation, engines that allegedly run on pickle juice or cola, and machines that he says produce electricity for free.
"Dennis Lee specializes in selling fantastic products that are bogus," says Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.
Lee makes his living selling these products through the Internet, and by traveling the country. Last week, he held a show at Seattle's downtown library -- about 50 people showed up.
But four years ago, the state went after Lee. And they got a judgement against him which prevents him from stepping foot inside the state and from ever selling any of his products here. So when the state heard he was back in town, they didn't hesitate.
"We didn't go looking for him," says McKenna, "he showed up at the downtown Seattle Public Library and was up to his old tricks."
The state filed a court petition to keep Lee from promoting any of his products here. And they want him to pay $65,000 in penalties and fees he owes from the last time they took him to court.
KOMO 4 News has been trying to contact Lee through his Web site, but, he's currently traveling the West Coast with his road show. The State Attorney General's office will be happy if Lee just keeps traveling, and never returns to Washington.
If you've purchased something from Dennis Lee, either in person or on-line, the State Attorney General's Office wants to hear from you. You can call their Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-551-4636 or file a complaint online. Their web address is www.atg.wa.gov.