Ozy Media Founder Carlos Watson Doc Debuting Before Fraud Sentencing

Carlos Watson, the Ozy Media co-founder facing up to 37 years in prison following his July conviction on fraud charges, is the subject of a documentary examining his trial.

Helmed by filmmakers Candice Conley and Brenae Perkins, The Troubling Case of Carlos Watson: Whose Son Is Next? launches on YouTube on Tuesday ahead of next month’s sentencing. The doc includes details from the case that saw Watson and Ozy Media convicted by a federal jury on July 16 of securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy, with Watson additionally convicted of identity theft.

As seen in a trailer exclusive to The Hollywood Reporter, the feature includes interviews with supporters alleging Watson received an unfair trial. The footage also suggests that U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee had hedge fund investments in four companies alleged to have been victims in the fraud case. Watson’s lawyer noted in a motion filed last month that the judge should have recused himself from the case.

Among those speaking for the doc is Juror No. 5 from Watson’s trial, who says in a new interview teased in the trailer, “I just feel a real injustice that’s been done, and I feel like I’m part of it.”

A Watson supporter adds in the trailer, “He deserves to have a fair trial. We need our brother.”

Watson is a journalist and television host who launched media company Ozy Media with co-founder Samir Rao in September 2013. Watson previously worked as an MSNBC anchor and CNN contributor and hosted interview program The Carlos Watson Show on YouTube.

Ozy, known for its site featuring news and culture pieces, shut down in 2023 when the company was indicted. This followed the New York Times reporting in 2021 that Rao impersonated a YouTube executive during a fundraising call with Goldman Sachs.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Watson presented false details about Ozy’s finances and traffic numbers, along with fabricating contracts and providing misleading earnings projections. Watson, who pleaded not guilty, faces a maximum of 37 years in prison, with sentencing set for Dec. 13. Rao and chief of staff Suzee Han had pleaded guilty and testified for the prosecution.