Megyn Kelly Details the Curious Case of Carlos Watson, and Shocking Downfall of the Disgraced Media Mogul | Ep. 969
The Megyn Kelly Show
Deep Dive
Why did Carlos Watson and his co-conspirators impersonate a YouTube executive during a call with Goldman Sachs?
Carlos Watson and his co-conspirators, including Samir Rao, impersonated a YouTube executive to mislead Goldman Sachs about Ozy Media's relationship with YouTube and to secure a $45 million investment. They used voice alteration technology and a fake email address to carry out the deception.
Why did the CFO, Tripti Thakur, resign from Ozy Media?
Tripti Thakur resigned from Ozy Media after she was asked to send a fake signed contract to a bank to secure a loan. She refused to participate in the fraud and sent an email to Carlos Watson and Samir Rao, stating that their actions were illegal and fraudulent.
Why did Carlos Watson claim he was a victim of selective prosecution?
Carlos Watson claimed he was a victim of selective prosecution as a black entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, where African-American executives are underrepresented. He called the case a 'modern lynching' and suggested that his race was a factor in his prosecution.
Why did Brad Bessie resign from Ozy Media?
Brad Bessie resigned from Ozy Media after learning that he had been lied to about the show being on A&E. When he tried to confirm the show's placement with A&E executives, he discovered that the show was not going to appear on the network as promised.
Why did Carlos Watson attempt to play the race card during his sentencing?
Carlos Watson attempted to play the race card during his sentencing to gain sympathy and mitigate his sentence. He claimed that he was being unfairly targeted as a black entrepreneur and called the case a 'modern lynching,' despite the overwhelming evidence of his fraud.
How did Carlos Watson's fraudulent scheme impact Ozy Media's investors?
Carlos Watson's fraudulent scheme led to the loss of tens of millions of dollars from investors. The investors poured between $75 million and $100 million into Ozy Media, but the company's financial results, debts, and business relationships were all based on misrepresentations and lies.
Why did Megyn Kelly reject Carlos Watson's request to appear on her show before his sentencing?
Megyn Kelly rejected Carlos Watson's request to appear on her show because she knew he was facing serious legal charges and was likely to use the platform to play the race card. She was also aware of the extensive evidence of his fraud and did not want to give him a platform to spread misinformation.
- Introduction to Carlos Watson and Ozy Media
- Megyn Kelly's early interactions with Watson
- Ozy Fest invitation
Shownotes Transcript