Google CEO testifies at trial of collapsed startup Ozy Media and founder Carlos Watson

Published June 14, 2024 12:27 PM

By JENNIFER PELTZ
Associated Press

Google CEO Sundar Pinchai has testified briefly at the federal financial conspiracy trial surrounding the collapse of once-touted startup Ozy Media. Pinchai took the stand Friday. He countered Ozy founder Carlos Watson’s alleged claims that the search giant once sought to buy the company. Pinchai said Google did consider hiring Watson for a high-level news executive job in 2021 and putting $25 million into Ozy in something of a tradeoff for luring him away. Prosecutors have said Watson later told another prospective investor that Pinchai himself had extended a nine-figure offer to buy Ozy. Watson and Ozy Media have pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit fraud.

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