There’s No Fraud like Show Business Fraud

In this episode, Caleb and Greg discuss one of the most audacious scams to ever hit Hollywood. Hear how Zach Horowitz fooled investors in to giving him over $650 million dollars.

Show Notes

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CONNECT WITH THE HOSTS

Greg Kyte, CPA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregkyte
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkyte/

Caleb Newquist
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cnewquist
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebnewquist/

EMAIL : [e-mail]
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Sources:

• A rising actor, fake HBO deals and one of Hollywood’s most audacious Ponzi schemes [LAT]
• SXSW: 1inMM, Alebrije Team to Form One Key Entertainment [Variety]
• Hollywood grifter: the actor who took Tinseltown for a Ponzi scheme ride [The Guardian]
• RISE AND SHINE: ZACH AVERY TALKS ABOUT SHOW BUSINESS, FATHERHOOD, AND WHAT IT TAKES TO FOLLOW YOUR PASSION [Swagger]
• How Actors Zach Avery & Phil Haus, Thrive and Succeed As Celebrity Turned Entrepreneurs [Medium]
• USA v. Zachary J. Horowitz [Criminal Complaint/PDF]
• SEC Obtains Emergency Asset Freeze, Charges Actor with Operating a $690 Million Ponzi Scheme [SEC Press Release]
• SEC v. Zachary Horwitz [SEC Complaint]
• Beverlywood Man Arrested for Allegedly Bilking Investors by Falsely Claiming to License Latin American Film Rights to Netflix and HBO [DOJ]
• Beverlywood Man Pleads Guilty to Securities Fraud, Admitting Massive Ponzi that Falsely Claimed to License Foreign Film Rights [DOJ]
• L.A. Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Federal Prison for $650 Million Ponzi Scheme that Falsely Claimed to License Foreign Film Rights [DOJ]
• Zach Avery [IMDB]

Creators & Guests

Host

Caleb Newquist

Writer l Content at @GustoHQ | Co-host @ohmyfraud | Founding editor @going_concern | Former @CCDedu prof | @JeffSymphony board member | Trying to pay attention.

Host

Greg Kyte, CPA

Mega-pastor of @comedychurch and the de facto worlds greatest accounting cartoonist.

What is Oh My Fraud?

"Oh My Fraud" is an irreverent podcast from CPA/comedian Greg Kyte and blogger/former CPA Caleb Newquist.

The two come together to unpack their favorite frauds and explore the circumstances, psychology, and interpersonal dynamics involved. They also fully indulge in victim-blaming the defrauded widows, orphans, infirm and feeble-minded—because who can resist?

If you fancy yourself a trusted advisor—or prefer your true crime with spreadsheets instead of corpses—listen to this show to learn what to watch out for to keep your clients, your firm, and even yourself safe.