Phony Hollywood producer gets 4 years in prison

[January 20, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge has ordered a nearly four-year prison term for a man who posed as a Hollywood producer and fleeced investors out of $3.4 million for a phony show about the Department of Homeland Security.

Joseph Medawar pleaded guilty in May 2006 to tax evasion and conspiracy for the TV show investment scam. He was sentenced to jail for a year and community service.

But the Los Angeles Times reports Medawar padded his community service hours to go to movies and the gym.

On Tuesday, a Los Angeles federal judge sentenced Joseph Medawar to 45 months in prison for violating probation.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com/

[Associated Press]

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