Ozy Media: Former TV host gets almost 10 years in prison for fraud

Ozy Media founder Carlos Watson was sentenced to 116 months in prison by a judge in New York.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthVideoLiveAudioWeatherNewslettersFormer TV host gets almost 10 years in prison for fraudGetty ImagesProsecutors said Carlos Watson orchestrated a years-long scheme that resulted in "tens of millions of dollars" in losses to investorsThe founder of failed media and entertainment firm Ozy Media, Carlos Watson, has been sentenced to nearly a decade in prison for lying about the company to attract investors.

Prosecutors said the former MSNBC host and ex-Goldman Sachs banker had orchestrated a years-long scheme that resulted in "tens of millions of dollars" of losses for investors.

The court was told Watson and others at Ozy Media falsified information about the firm's finances, relationships with celebrities and acquisition prospects to lure investors.

Watson continues to deny the allegations and says he plans to appeal the verdict.

United States District Judge Eric R Komitee sentenced Watson to 116 months in prison for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8nzm63pzdo

---