In a high-profile trial at a New York federal court, Alphabet Inc.‘s CEO Sundar Pichai took the witness stand to refute claims made by Carlos Watson, co-founder of Ozy Media Inc., regarding a purported acquisition offer from Google.
Watson stands accused of defrauding investors by fabricating stories about Ozy’s financial health, including assertions that Google had proposed a significant acquisition worth $600 million. Pichai categorically denied these allegations, asserting that Google had never entertained any intention to acquire Ozy Media. He clarified that discussions between Google and Watson centered around a potential employment opportunity rather than an acquisition deal.
The trial stems from a 2021 incident involving Ozy’s former COO, Samir Rao, who impersonated a YouTube executive to mislead Goldman Sachs bankers into believing that Ozy had a strong partnership with YouTube, securing a fraudulent $35 million investment. Rao has since pleaded guilty to fraud charges related to the deception.
Goldman Sachs bankers testified about their unsettling encounter with Rao, describing his voice during the call as “unnatural” and raising suspicions that ultimately led to the withdrawal of the investment proposal.
Additionally, Suzee Han, Ozy’s former chief of staff, admitted to falsifying financial records under Watson’s leadership, contributing to the prosecution’s case against him.
As the trial continues, the prosecution seeks to demonstrate that Watson’s actions misled investors and misrepresented Ozy’s financial viability, while Watson maintains his innocence.
Pichai’s testimony underscores Google’s commitment to transparency and integrity in corporate dealings, affirming that the tech giant did not engage in any acquisition discussions with Ozy Media as alleged by the prosecution.
The outcome of the trial will likely have significant implications for the future of Ozy Media and could set precedents in cases involving corporate fraud and misrepresentation in the technology and media sectors.