People v. Knop

After a bench trial, defendant, Edward Knop, was convicted of promoting a pyramid sales scheme (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1987, ch. 38, par. 17 — 7 (now 720 ILCS 5/17 — 7 (West 1992))) and was sentenced to two years’ probation. On appeal, defendant argues that the evidence did not prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. We affirm.

In 1987, defendant founded and promoted BEK Marketing, Incorporated (BEK). On August 28, 1987, the State filed a complaint alleging that defendant knowingly offered to sell the right to participate in BEK, allegedly an unlawful pyramid sales scheme. Initially, the circuit…