Ozy Media CEO Watson Guilty of Multiple Fraud Charges

Carlos Watson, co-founder and CEO of Ozy Media, has been found guilty of multiple fraud charges, including conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. The conviction follows an eight-week trial where evidence revealed that Watson and his associates, including Samir Rao, engaged in deceptive practices to secure millions in investments by falsifying financial data and impersonating media executives. Watson now faces up to 37 years in prison and the defunct Ozy Media may incur financial penalties. The prosecution highlighted Watson's orchestrated scheme to mislead investors, while the defense attributed the fraudulent actions primarily to Rao. Watson and Ozy Media plan to appeal the verdict.