Woman Charged In Alleged Movie Studio Fraud

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a woman scammed investors out of more than $5 million with claims she had Hollywood backing to build a movie studio complex in Northern California.

A 32-count indictment unsealed on Thursday charges 51-year-old Carissa Carpenter with mail fraud, wire fraud and three counts of making a false statement to a government agent.

Carpenter claimed to have invested hundreds of millions of dollars of her own money in the studio project and have support from well-connected people in the entertainment industry.

Prosecutors say in fact the Hollywood figures had little or no involvement in the project, and Carpenter used investor money to fund an extravagant lifestyle. She was arrested in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

Lauren Horwood, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, said Carpenter did not have an attorney listed.

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