Abdul El‑Sayed, the Democratic contender for the Michigan Senate, has appointed Tara Terpstra as the operations director of his campaign. Terpstra’s earlier work includes a stint as an independent distributor for Nerium, a company that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued for allegedly operating an illegal pyramid scheme.
Legal challenges faced by Nerium
In 2017, a group of Nerium distributors launched a class‑action lawsuit alleging that the firm’s business model violated pyramid‑scheme laws. The FTC later filed its own action, accusing Nerium of making deceptive claims about its products, notably a coffee extract called EHT that was promoted as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Terpstra’s promotional activity
During her time with Nerium, Terpstra used social‑media platforms to suggest that the company’s products could address Alzheimer’s and other neurocognitive conditions. She also highlighted the firm’s incentive scheme, which promised rewards such as iPads, Lexuses and cash. The FTC has argued that these bonus programmes were misleading and that only a small minority of sellers actually earned a profit.
Potential conflict with El‑Sayed’s stance
El‑Sayed has positioned himself as a vocal opponent of unproven medical remedies and frequently condemns health misinformation. The revelation of his close working relationship with Terpstra – who has promoted the disputed brain‑boosting pills – has prompted questions about his judgment and credibility. It remains unclear how El‑Sayed first encountered Terpstra or whether he was aware of her prior involvement with Nerium before bringing her onto the campaign team.
Over the past decade, Terpstra has become one of El‑Sayed’s most trusted aides, serving in various capacities, including as a producer for his podcast, America Dissected. The association between a candidate who denounces medical quackery and an aide with a history of endorsing questionable health products highlights a potential inconsistency in the campaign’s messaging.
First reported by a wire report.