Carlos Watson, the founder of the now-defunct digital media company Ozy Media, was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison on December 17, 2024. This sentencing stems from a federal financial conspiracy case in which Watson was found guilty of attempting to defraud investors by misrepresenting the startup’s finances. The case highlighted issues within the startup culture, particularly the extreme measures some entrepreneurs take to secure funding. Prosecutors noted that an Ozy executive had impersonated a YouTube executive to attract investment bankers, with Watson allegedly coaching him in this deception. The sentencing marks a significant moment in the scrutiny of startup practices and the consequences of fraudulent behavior in the tech industry.