Ozy Media co-founder Carlos Watson will speak to the press after a ruling hearing in Brooklyn Federal Court in New York City on December 16, 2024.
Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images
President Donald Trump sentenced Aussie Media founder Carlos Watson to criminally fraud on Friday. White House Officials said.
Watson claims that the media startup is incorrectly making a deal Google And Oprah Winfrey plans to surrender to a federal correctional facility in Lompoc, California on Friday afternoon, a source familiar with the situation said before receiving Trump’s words of tolerance.
Trump also sentenced Ozy Media to a year of probation in the same case, due to the conviction of a breakaway news and entertainment company.
The president’s actions removes the criminal penalties imposed on Watson, 55, and Ozzy. Judge’s order In February they will be jointly responsible for almost paying $60 million forfeiture And more than $36 million in compensation.
Watson was Convicted in court In Brooklyn Federal Court last July, he said in a conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to aggravate identity theft.
The former Ozy CEO was sentenced to nearly a decade in prison in December.
“We are deeply grateful to President Trump for fixing this serious injustice,” Watson said in a statement late Friday. “His decision reflects his unwavering commitment to fairness and justice for those who were mistreated targeted.”
“I am particularly grateful to President Trump’s amnesty emperor Miss Alice Marie Johnson. His commitment to justice and second chance continues to inspire me,” Watson said. “Her belief in fairness and second chance reflects the best of what our nation represents.”
Watson’s defense attorney, Arthur Adara, declined to comment when contacted by CNBC.
A spokesman for the Brooklyn U.S. Lawyer’s Office, which indicted Watson, also declined to comment.
“We did it,” criminal justice reform advocate Glenn Martin wrote in a tweet Friday on top of a photo of him and Watson.
“President Trump notified Ozy Media and Carlos Watson of sentences a few hours before his surrender,” the tweet said.
“@Carloswatson won’t be in prison today,” Martin wrote.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank God for his grace, mercy and redemption. A very special note of gratitude to @AliceMariefree,” he added, referring to his fellow criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson.
“Your unrelenting pursuit of defense, compassion and equity has made this moment possible for people like Carlos.”
File photo: Ozy Fest 2018 was held at Ramsey Playfield, Central Park, on July 21, 2018 in New York City.
Matthew Aysman | Getty Images
When Watson was sentenced, then Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Bleon Peace said, “Carlos Watson has adjusted a bold scheme over the years to scam investors and lenders to his company, Ozy Media, from tens of millions of dollars.”
Prosecutors said between 2018 and 2021 Watson and his co-conspirators misrepresented Ozy’s financial performance, continued business relationships, as well as its acquisition prospects, and contract negotiations to fraudulent investors.
Ozy suddenly closed in October 2021 after the New York Times reported that the company’s chief operating officer, Samir Rao, had impersonated a YouTube executive in a conference call with Goldman Sachs.
Investment banks were considering investing $40 million in Ozy at the time.
– CNBC Eamon Javers I contributed to this story.
