Carlos Watson, founder of Ozy Media, was recently granted a commutation by President Donald Trump. This ruling arrived just days before Watson would have begun serving a 116-month prison term. Watson was found guilty in Brooklyn federal court of her role in a multi-million-dollar scheme. He even made up collaborations with the likes of Google and Oprah Winfrey. The commutation, which was announced on a Friday, provided an unexpected and dramatic ending to Watson’s lengthy legal saga.
Watson was charged in 30 counts and convicted on 29. The charges were for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft. In December, he was sentenced to pay almost $60 million in forfeiture, and his sentence included a forfeiture order. On top of that, he owes more than $36 million in restitution. The onetime media mogul was set to begin serving his sentence in California when the presidential commutation threw a wrench into those plans.
“Carlos Watson orchestrated a years-long, audacious scheme to defraud investors and lenders to his company, Ozy Media, out of tens of millions of dollars.” – Breon Peace
During the trial, Watson was represented by his high-profile attorney, Arthur Aidala. But immediately after that great news received a ton of press, Aidala refused to further discuss this amazing turn of events. The case captured public imagination due in part to these outlandish false claims. It included huge financial stakes that added to the drama.
Most significantly, the commutation has energized much-needed conversations about fairness and wisdom of these types of presidential acts. The controversial move has been hailed, applauded, criticized and condemned from all quarters. Commenting in anticipation of the commutation, Glenn Martin was thankful for Governor Murphy’s leadership.
“First and foremost, thank God for His grace, mercy and the power of redemption.” – Glenn Martin