In a landmark decision, a federal jury has found Carlos Watson and Ozy Media guilty of attempting to defraud investors and lenders in order to boost their start-up venture. The eight-week trial, followed by three days of deliberation, was filled with shocking revelations of deception within the company. Prosecutors accused Mr. Watson of engaging in conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, pointing to evidence such as impersonated phone calls, fabricated contracts, and misleading claims about Ozy’s financial performance. Despite efforts to shift blame onto other Ozy employees, Mr. Watson faces a potential 37-year prison sentence for his role in the fraudulent activities. He maintained that his representations to investors were made in good faith, and argued that the financial estimates presented were typical for a young company like Ozy. This verdict serves as a critical warning to other entrepreneurs about the consequences of dishonest business practices.