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South Carolina / Los Angeles, Aug. 28, 2025 — A Hollywood producer has been arrested and charged with stealing more than $12 million from film projects and other victims, federal authorities announced Wednesday.

David Raymond Brown, 39, also known as David Brown Levy and David Addison Brown, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on Aug. 20 on 21 counts, including wire fraud, transactional money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. Brown, who produced the President Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, has worked in the film industry as a producer, unit production manager, and production accountant.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), between December 2021 and August 2025, Brown misappropriated funds from film production companies and other investors. He allegedly forced productions to pay for COVID-19 testing services that never occurred through a company he controlled, Hollywood Covid Testing LLC. Prosecutors say he used the stolen funds to purchase luxury vehicles, finance home remodeling projects, make mortgage payments, and cover personal expenses including surrogacy services, private school tuition, and family support.

“Brown also diverted funds to a real estate investment scheme and other ventures while repaying prior victims in a Ponzi-like manner,” the DOJ stated. He reportedly misled investors by presenting falsified credentials and omitting information about ongoing lawsuits and fraud investigations.

Brown previously filed a defamation suit against one of his accusers, director Chad Darnell, alleging that false claims were part of a deliberate campaign to damage his reputation.

The case is currently under seal. The government is represented by Alexander B. Schwab of the DOJ Criminal Division, Joshua O. Mausner of the DOJ Terrorism and Export Crimes Section, and Sarah E. Spielberger of the DOJ Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section. Brown’s legal counsel has not yet been publicly identified.