A federal grand jury has indicted Joshua Mandel, a 46-year-old film production accountant from Woodland Hills, alleging he embezzled more than $1.9 million from independent film productions that employed him. The indictment, announced by the Justice Department, charges Mandel with six counts of wire fraud.
Mandel, who owned and operated First J Productions Inc., served as both CEO and chief financial officer of the company. He provided accounting services for independent films and managed cash flow, payroll, and expenses for various productions. According to the indictment, Mandel had authority over prepaid debit cards issued by CASHét Card—a tool commonly used in the film industry—and was an authorized user on bank accounts belonging to production companies.
Between 2019 and 2023, prosecutors allege that Mandel misappropriated funds by writing unauthorized checks, making wire transfers without approval, and moving money into a CASHét Card account he controlled named “Fun Fun Fun.” Authorities say he used the embezzled funds to support his personal lifestyle. This included paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to young women—including pornographic actresses—and spending over $129,000 on a woman he met through a “sugar daddy” website. Additional expenditures cited in the indictment include more than $24,000 at Las Vegas hotels, clubs, and shows as well as purchases exceeding $12,000 at Louis Vuitton. To conceal his activities, Mandel allegedly used funds from one production company to cover expenses incurred by another.
“An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.”
If convicted on all charges, Mandel could face up to 20 years in prison for each count.
The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander B. Schwab, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division, is prosecuting.
