ARIZONA NEWS

Scottsdale man pleads guilty to stealing millions in music royalties

Feb 10, 2023, 3:00 PM
(Pixabay Photo)...
(Pixabay Photo)
(Pixabay Photo)

PHEONIX — A Scottsdale man pleaded guilty for stealing millions of dollars in music royalties using a fraudulent company, MediaMuv L.L.C.

Jose Teran appeared in court on Dec. 1, 2021, for conspiracy, wire fraud, transactional money laundering and aggravated identity theft charges following a federal indictment issued on Nov. 16, 2021, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said in a press release.

He and a co-conspirator, Webster Batista of Florida, were charged with 30 felony counts.

The partners in 2017 made false affirmations to two third-party companies that they owned the legal rights to monetize over 50,000 songs. They did not pay the musicians or their representatives whose royalties the defendants collected, according to the indictment.

The co-conspirators made approximately $23,400,000 from the schemes.

They used false identities to claim MediaMuv L.L.C. had other employees, and the indictment claims Teran and Batista used the money to purchase luxury goods like cars and jewelry, according to the release.

Batista pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud charges on April, 21, 2022.

Teran could see up to five years in prison for conspiracy, up to 20 years for wire fraud and up to 10 years for transactional money laundering. He also may be fined up to $250,000 per felony conviction.

His sentencing is scheduled for June 26 by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes.

The Internal Revenue Service investigated the case.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Facebook Photo/Phoenix Police Department)...
KTAR.com

Pedestrian killed on Phoenix sidewalk after 2 cars collide, spin out of control

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed Thursday morning following a collision involving two vehicles in Phoenix, authorities said. 
19 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Old Station Sub Shop)...
Taylor Kinnerup

Arizona’s News Roundup: Phoenix and homelessness, Mayorkas tours southern border

Homelessness, border visits and flooding up north. The biggest headlines of the week spanned the state, so get caught up with Arizona's News Roundup.
19 hours ago
(Scottsdale Fire Department Photo)...
KTAR.com

No injuries after plane lands on fairway of Scottsdale golf course

The pilot of a small plane was uninjured after landing on a north Scottsdale golf course Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
19 hours ago
(Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Photo)...
KTAR.com

Meet the artists, scientists behind exhibit at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport

Art and science team up in an ongoing exhibit at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport that gets the star treatment Friday evening.
19 hours ago
(City of Phoenix Screenshot)...
Kevin Stone

Phoenix City Council OKs funding, but no reprieve, for mobile home residents facing eviction

The Phoenix City Council approved $2.5 million to help mobile home park residents being forced to move but didn’t take action to stop the evictions.
19 hours ago
(Facebook Photo/Journey Out of Homelessness)...
SuElen Rivera

Founder of Phoenix nonprofit can relate to the homeless she helps

The founder of a Phoenix nonprofit organization is working to aid the homeless community years after she climbed out of similar circumstances.
19 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...
Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Celebrate 50 years of Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade magic!

Since its first production in the early 1970s, the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe has been a staple of Valley traditions, bringing family fun and excitement to downtown Phoenix.
...
Quantum Fiber

How high-speed fiber internet edges out cable for everyday use

In a world where technology drives so much of our daily lives, a lack of high-speed internet can be a major issue.
...
Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Prep the plumbing in your home just in time for the holidays

With the holidays approaching, it's important to know when your home is in need of heating and plumbing updates before more guests start to come around.
Scottsdale man pleads guilty to stealing millions in music royalties