Home / Crime and Justice / Producer Sues Studios Over "Hollywood Hustler" Docuseries
Producer Sues Studios Over "Hollywood Hustler" Docuseries
5 Jun
Summary
- Producer Julio Hallivis claims a docuseries damaged his reputation.
- Hallivis asserts he was unaware of Zach Horwitz's $650 million Ponzi scheme.
- Horwitz received a 20-year sentence for his fraudulent activities.
Julio Hallivis, who co-founded 1inMM Productions with Zach Horwitz, has filed a lawsuit against Amazon Studios, Vice Studios, and director Rebecca Chaikin. Hallivis alleges that the docuseries "Hollywood Hustler: Glitz, Glam, Scam" has unfairly damaged his reputation by implying his involvement in Horwitz's $650 million Ponzi scheme. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, states that Hallivis was unaware of Horwitz's fraudulent activities until his arrest in 2021 and maintains he only worked as a producer.
Zach Horwitz was sentenced to 20 years in prison on February 14, 2022, for defrauding investors with false promises of lucrative licensing rights to HBO and Netflix films. He was also ordered to pay over $230 million in restitution. The Securities and Exchange Commission later secured a judgment of over $62 million against Horwitz for profits gained from his scheme, plus prejudgment interest. Hallivis's complaint seeks damages for defamation, asserting he is a private figure and the series' portrayal has caused him significant suffering and financial loss.
