Security News > 2023 > June > Crook who stole $23m+ in YouTube song royalties gets five years behind bars

One of the two men who admitted stealing more than $23 million in royalty payments for songs played on YouTube has been sentenced to nearly six years behind bars for his role in what prosecutors called "One of the largest music-royalty frauds ever."

Teran pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering in January, following a November 2021 indictment in which a federal grand jury charged him and Batista with 30 felony counts.

Even after his indictment, Teran fraudulently obtained another $190,000 in ill-gotten royalty payments and still has plans to remain in the music business, hence the need for a non-trivial punishment, according to prosecutors in their recommendation on sentencing [PDF].

"A 70-month sentence is undoubtedly substantial but given Mr Teran's conduct and the need to deter future fraud, it is entirely warranted," the Feds sniffed.

Teran personally pocketed more than $6.2 million for his part in the scam, and used his ill-gotten gains "To promote a lavish lifestyle," the court heard.

Even after the crooks were indicted, YouTube continued paying royalty fees to the shell company, which Teran continued to pocket.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2023/06/29/youtube_scammer_jailed/