Former Finance Guy at TV Studio Gets 2 Years for Embezzling $2.5M

A former finance manager of a television production studio was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for embezzling about $2.5 million from the Culver City company.

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Nolan Mitchell Ransdell, 41, of Canyon Country was sentenced by U.S. District Judge George Wu, who ordered Ransdell to pay about $2.5 million in restitution.

Ransdell previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud and admitted that he stole money from his employer, Studio Lambert USA, which is now known as All3Media America.

Ransdell embezzled the money in several ways, including forging an executive’s signature on checks he made out to himself.

He also took checks that the executive had pre-signed for “emergency” use and made himself the payee. In addition, Ransdell made checks payable to a subordinate, and then instructed that employee to cash the checks and return the money to him.

Ransdell also made unauthorized cash withdrawals from Studio Lambert’s bank accounts.

Studio Lambert USA, a subsidiary of a British studio, produced television shows for distribution in the United States, including “Undercover Boss.”

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.