TV Producer Gets 18 Months for Fraud, Embezzlement on Multiple Shows
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David Ozer, president of Strong Studios, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding investors in TV productions.
Ozer, who remains free on $25,000 bond, was charged in two separate criminal cases. He's pleaded guilty in both to two counts of wire fraud.
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Over a one year period starting in February 2023, federal prosecutors alleged that Ozer embezzled over $210,000 meant for Safehaven, an upcoming supernatural thriller backed by Ravenwood Productions. To create the impression that the funds were spent on legitimate production costs, he created fraudulent accounting records, including falsified invoices, and forged a letter from his accountant.
After pleading guilty in that case, additional victims came forward over a TV series Ozer said he was developing called Endangered. In a separate scheme, he stole over $200,000 from investors, some of whom were told they'd get an executive producer credit on the series.
Ozer is an 'experienced businessman in the entertainment industry,' prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo. 'He knew it was wrong to embezzle funds from his company's principal financial backer, and he knew it was wrong to misappropriate funds from individual investors.'
Ozer previously led Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment's Landmark Studio Group and earlier ran indie comic publisher IDW Entertainment.
On top of the prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumfeld ordered Ozer to pay nearly $400,000 in restitution.
In a declaration to the court, Ozer said he fell victim to an extortion scheme after responding to an ad on a popular ad.
'This individual threatened to suggestively expose my messages on the app in a way that would destroy my career, end my marriage, and bring shame to my family,' he wrote. 'Fearing for my relationship with my loved ones, I began making payments in a desperate attempt to make it stop.'
Ozer continued paying the extortionist as he prepared to take his company public. He denied accusations that he spent the stolen funds on luxury items.
Ozer's credits include serving as an executive producer on Trigger Point and producer on Willy's Wonderland.
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