movie producer rips millions off pro-Bush churches

[Cocoa]

all the guy had to do was drop Bush's name and the morons' brains stopped functioning.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20050924-9999-1n24scam.html

LOS ANGELES – Joseph M. Medawar seemed to be living the life of a successful Hollywood producer – flashy cars and fine restaurants – and had a novel idea for a television series about homeland security agents. He claimed President Bush endorsed the series.

But federal officials yesterday said the series wasn't all Medawar claimed it was – no Bush endorsement and no shows produced – and his lifestyle was financed by $5.5 million he bilked from investors in his production company.

Medawar, 43, of Los Angeles, was arrested by FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents yesterday at his Century City office on mail fraud and obstruction of justice charges. Investigators said that during the past 2½ years he scammed about 70 investors, many of them linked to Southern California churches.

An affidavit filed with the charges stated Medawar sought investors at times by appearing and speaking on Orange County-based television minister Benny Hinn's program. Other investors were members of Desert Bloom Ministries in Whittier.

<snip>

A video clip promoting the show was produced, but agents claim it contained portions of footage from other films Medawar didn't produce and didn't have permission to use.

Medawar has produced a handful of films, including "Sleepwalkers," written by Stephen King, a Danny Aiello movie titled "The Closer" and a 1986 low-budget comedy titled "Hardbodies 2."

[deadparrot]

1. How the hell do those people survive so long in this world,

being that stupid? :shrug:

[jobycom]

2. Televangelists rip these people off for more than that every year

Why pick on the genius who brought us Hardbodies 2?

[Jade Fox]

3. LOL!

[FreedomAngel82]

4. LOL

How lame! This guy was just getting money.

[slay]

5. Hahahahaha!

Religious nuts getting ripped off - GOOD! It's just what they deserve for being such blind sheep.

[Scurrilous]

6. Hardbodies 2 :

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091173/

User Comments: Another film featuring blissful beaches on blue bays and beautiful bare bosoms.

:rofl:

[jobycom]

10. I remember it well, and the original, too

I'm not proud.

[charlyvi]

7. Hey! The market decided. n/t.

[jmowreader]

8. So let me get this straight...

Medawar can go on Benny Hinn, bilk the public for $5.5 million, and he's in trouble.

But Benny Hinn can go on Benny Hinn, bilk the public for $5.5 million, and that's perfectly fine.

Is there a disconnect here? Something I'm missing?

[RepublicanElephant]

9. sounds like...

...ed wood.

[Cleita]

11. "A sucker is born every minute."

I'm not sure if it's the exact quote, but reputedly something similar was said by P. T. Barnum.