Ozy Media Founder Carlos Watson Sentenced to Prison

Carlos Watson, former CEO of Ozy Media, was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme that misled investors about the company's financial health. Convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft, Watson's actions included inflating revenue figures and impersonating a YouTube executive to secure investments. Prosecutors described his conduct as a 'brazen attempt to defraud' that resulted in significant losses for investors and lenders. Watson, who maintains his innocence and claims racial bias in the prosecution, plans to appeal the verdict. The sentencing follows a high-profile downfall for Ozy Media, which was once seen as a rising star in the digital media landscape. U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee remarked on the exceptional dishonesty displayed in Watson's case, highlighting the severity of the fraudulent practices.