Man Indicted on Fraud and Identity Theft Charges for Using Desilu Name in Alleged Investment Scam
variety.comWilson Chapman editorFederal prosecutors in Los Angeles have indicted a Redondo Beach man on fraud and identity theft charges, alleging he used the name of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s legendary Desilu production company to scam investors.Charles Hensley, 68, has been charged with 11 counts of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft for his alleged activities, which involved using the Desilu name to dupe investors into giving him money to shell corporations.
The indictment stemmed from an investigation into Hensley’s businesses from the FBI and the IRS. Prosecutors said Hensley collected $331,000 from multiple investors, money that was used for his personal expenses including trips to Las Vegas.
Hensley could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday.Hensley founded the company Desilu Studios Inc. in 2016, operating it out of offices in Manhattan Beach and other locations in Southern California.
The name closely resembled Desilu Productions Inc., the long-defunct television production company owned by the late Arnaz and Ball and well known for producing TV series such as “I Love Lucy,” “The Untouchables,” “Mission: Impossible” and “Star Trek.” But Hensley had no legitimite ties to the famed couple.From August 2017 to May 2018, Hensley pitched investors to put money into Desilu Studios and his other company Migranade Inc., according to the indictment.
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