Prosecutors say California man posed as Oscar-winner to dupe investors

Feds: Man posed as Oscar-winner in investment scam

OAKLAND, Calif. — Federal authorities say a man who duped people out of more than $3.3 million by posing as an Oscar-winning sound engineer is facing wire fraud and tax evasion charges.

Brice Carrington was charged with five counts of wire fraud and four counts of tax evasion in federal court Thursday.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello says the 46-year-old Carrington displayed fake Oscar awards in his expensive Pleasanton home to convince investors that he had Hollywood connections.

Authorities say Carrington took in money for what he claimed would be an online sound effects library but used it to buy his $2.65 million home and exotic cars.

A message left for Carrington’s attorney by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.