In the hours leading up to his scheduled arrival at prison to begin serving a nearly 10-year sentence for a federal fraud conviction, media executive Carlos Watson was granted clemency by Donald Trump, thus preventing his imprisonment.

Watson learned of the presidential commutation while en route to the Lompoc, California, federal correctional institution, according to CNBC. Upon receiving the news, he issued a public statement thanking the president and criticizing the Trump-appointed federal judge, Eric Komitee, as “conflicted and unethical.”

In his statement, Watson expressed his profound gratitude to Trump, stating that the decision underscored the president’s commitment to fairness and justice for the wrongfully targeted.

Watson’s clemency was granted more than two months after Trump’s second inauguration, a period during which he pardoned or commuted the sentences of approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

Also receiving clemency on the same day was Trevor Milton, the founder of electric vehicle manufacturer Nikola, who had been sentenced to four years in prison for fraud before receiving a presidential pardon. Milton had contributed nearly $2 million alongside his wife to Trump’s re-election campaign.

Carlos Watson and his company, Ozy Media, were charged and convicted for deceiving investors and lenders by inflating earnings figures from 2018 to 2021. Prosecutors also alleged that Watson lied about finalizing business deals that did not exist. Watson was ordered to serve nine years and eight months in prison, and both he and the company were required to pay $96 million in restitution and forfeiture, with Ozy placed on probation for one year.

In response to the sentencing, US Attorney for New York’s eastern district, Breon Peace, stated that Watson’s sentence would serve as a warning to those considering fraud that justice would be both swift and certain. Peace, appointed by Biden, resigned before Trump’s second term began.

Trump’s clemency eliminated the penalties imposed on Watson and his company. Throughout the process, Watson maintained his innocence, attributing the prosecution to what he described as a “malicious” campaign led by jealous competitors.

Consequently, Watson emphasized his readiness to move forward, acknowledging the lessons learned from the experience. This report was contributed to by The Associated Press.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/29/trump-clemency-ozy-media-co-founder-carlos-watson