A federal grand jury has indicted Joshua Mandel, a film production accountant from Woodland Hills, on six counts of wire fraud for allegedly embezzling more than $1.9 million from independent film productions that employed him. The announcement was made by the Justice Department.
Mandel, 46, is expected to make his initial court appearance and be arraigned on September 10 in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
According to the indictment, Mandel owned First J Productions Inc., a company based in Woodland Hills where he acted as both CEO and chief financial officer. In his role as a production accountant, Mandel managed cash flow, payroll, and expenses for various independent films. He also had authority over prepaid debit cards issued by CASHét Card—a common payment tool in the film industry—and access to production companies’ bank accounts.
The indictment alleges that between 2019 and 2023, Mandel misappropriated funds by writing unauthorized checks, making unauthorized wire transfers, and moving money into a CASHét Card account he controlled named “Fun Fun Fun.” Authorities say he used these funds for personal expenses such as paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to young women—including pornographic actresses—and more than $129,000 to a woman he met through a “sugar daddy” website. Other expenditures included over $24,000 at Las Vegas hotels and clubs and more than $12,000 at Louis Vuitton. To conceal the scheme, prosecutors allege Mandel transferred funds between different production companies to cover up the misuse.
“An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.”
If found guilty on all charges, Mandel could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.
The FBI is leading the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander B. Schwab, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, is prosecuting the case.
