Man who police say used name Desilu Studios to lure investors pleads not guilty to dozens of charges – update

UPDATED 8:30 a.m.: The man who prosecutors say used the name Desilu Studios, linked to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s television production company, to lure investors whose money he spent on himself pleaded not guilty today.

Charles Hensley, 68, of Redondo Beach faces 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. His trial was scheduled for February 21 in federal court in Los Angeles. Read the details of the case below.

EARLY August 10: A Southern California man who allegedly used the name “Desilu Studios” to lure investors whose money he later squandered on himself was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles. Charles Hensley, 68, of Redondo Beach faces 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

An arraignment will take place in U.S. District Court in the coming weeks.

The alleged scheme affected many investors, including some who transferred the $331,000 identified in the fraud figures. Hensley also reportedly targeted several companies in the entertainment industry. Despite his claims that Desilu Studios was valued at more than $11 billion and Migranade at more than $50 million, the companies were actually shell companies with little or no assets.

If convicted, Hensley faces up to 20 years in prison on each count of wire fraud. The identity theft charge carries a mandatory sentence of two years in prison.

CBS Studios sued Hensley over the matter in October 2018, alleging he tried to enlist the support of Lucie Arnaz for a Desilu Studios relaunch that essentially tried to use her famous name to lure “unwitting investors” into a mailbox company attract According to the filing in federal court in California (read it here): “CBS has been informed and believes that Hensley never intended to use the Desilu name for legitimate business purposes, but intended to use that name for ‘investments’ in using his shell companies.”

Today’s indictments allege that from August 2017 to May 2018, Hensley successfully made investments in companies he owned — including Desilu Studios Inc. and Migranade Inc. – which he operated from offices in various locations in Southern California. Despite his claims, Desilu Studios was overrated
According to the indictment, the companies were actually shell companies with little or no assets.

Hensley began using the Desilu name in 2016 and reportedly said he was creating new content for his company, according to the indictment, telling investors he was wealthy and supporting his company with his personal funds.

In reality, the indictment states that he had few assets and that his bank accounts were overdrawn.

It further alleges that Hensley falsely claimed that Desilu Studios was on the verge of going public and that the company’s shares were worth more than face value and more than investors paid, and would appreciate in value after the upcoming IPO. Prosecutors also say that Hensley stole someone’s identity to be listed as Desilu Studio’s finance director when he presented material.