TV Producer Gets 18 Months for Fraud, Embezzlement on Multiple Shows

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David Ozer, head of Strong Studios, was given a 18-month jail term due to swindling investment funds from those backing television projects.

Ozer, currently out on a $25,000 bond, has been indicted in two distinct criminal matters. In each case, he admitted guilt for two charges related to wire fraud.

Between February 2023 and the same month the following year, federal investigators claimed that Ozer misused over $210,000 earmarked for “Safehaven”, a forthcoming supernatural thriller supported by Ravenwood Productions. To give the appearance that these funds were used for legitimate production expenses, he fabricated deceptive financial records, such as phony invoices and a fake letter from his accountant.

Following his guilty plea in that particular case, more victims emerged, surfacing during the production process of a TV series titled “Endangered” that Ozer claimed to be developing. In another instance, he illegally acquired over $200,000 from investors, with some being promised an executive producer credit for the series as part of the scheme.

In simpler terms, the prosecutors stated that Ozer is “a seasoned entrepreneur in the field of entertainment,” and they argued that he was fully aware that taking money unlawfully from his company’s major financier and also misusing funds from individual investors was something he should not have done.

Previously, Ozer was in charge of Landmark Studio Group at Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, while before that he managed IDW Entertainment, an independent comic publishing company.

Besides serving a prison term, U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumfeld also required Ozer to repay close to $400,000 as compensation.

In a statement made to the court, Ozer explained that he unwittingly became a target of an extortion plot following his response to an advertisement on a widely-used platform.

He stated that this person was going to publicly reveal confidential messages on the app in a manner that would ruin my career, break up my marriage, and dishonor my family,” he penned. “Concerned for the well-being of my loved ones, I resorted to making payments in a panic to make it cease.

Ozer persisted in making payments to the blackmailer while preparing for his company’s initial public offering. He refuted allegations suggesting that the embezzled money was used to purchase extravagant goods.

Among Ozer’s accomplishments, he has worked as an executive producer for the movie “Trigger Point” and a producer for the film “Willy’s Wonderland“.

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2025-05-07 22:54