Overview

• President Donald Trump commuted Carlos Watson's 116-month prison sentence on March 28, 2025, just as Watson was set to begin serving his term.
• Ozy Media's probation sentence, imposed for its role in the fraud scheme, was also commuted by Trump on the same day.
• Watson was convicted in 2024 of securities fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, following years of deceptive practices targeting investors.
• In February 2025, Watson and Ozy Media were ordered to pay nearly $96 million in combined restitution and forfeiture, penalties that remain enforceable.
• The case highlights broader concerns about transparency in startups and raises questions about the use of presidential commutations in high-profile fraud cases.