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Carlos Roy Watsoncommutation

Mar 28, 2025

Updated Feb 4, 2026
Net worth
Unknown
Crimes
securities fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy
Convicted of
Conspiracy to commit securities fraud; conspiracy to commit wire fraud; aggravated identity theft
Original sentence
116 months (nearly 10 years) imprisonment (December 2024)
Time served
~3 months before commutation

Background

Carlos Watson was the founder and former CEO of Ozy Media, a media and entertainment company that collapsed in 2021. He was convicted in July 2024 of conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and sentenced in December 2024 to 116 months (nearly 10 years) in prison.

The Case

Watson and his co-conspirators defrauded investors and lenders of tens of millions of dollars through a years-long scheme. They falsified Ozy’s financial information and audience size, fabricated contracts, inflated earnings projections, and created phony financial figures. During a key negotiation with Goldman Sachs, a co-conspirator impersonated a YouTube executive. The fraud raised approximately $50 million from investors. Ozy collapsed in 2021 after news reports questioned its audience numbers and revealed the executive impersonation. Watson was convicted of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. His conduct harmed investors and lenders and damaged trust in media and fundraising. He was sentenced in December 2024 to 116 months in prison. On March 28, 2025, Ozy Media, Inc. also received a commutation (entity).

The Pardon

On March 28, 2025, President Trump granted Watson a commutation of his sentence.

Sources