The MoviePass Boss's 25-Year Prison Risk

Ever wondered what happens when a business idea seems too good to be true? That's what happened with MoviePass, the once-popular movie-ticket subscription service. Its former boss, Theodore Farnsworth, is now in serious trouble. He's pleaded guilty to securities fraud and could spend up to 25 years in prison. Between 2017 and 2019, Farnsworth was at the helm of Helios and Matheson Analytics, MoviePass's parent company. He made false claims to investors about the service's business model. He lied, saying MoviePass could sustain itself by letting subscribers watch unlimited movies for just $9. 95 a month. In reality, it was a losing game. The company burned through cash and shut down after two years. Farnsworth also lied about using artificial intelligence to make money from subscriber data. He knew Helios didn't have that capability, but he made it up to attract investors and boost the company's stock price. J. Mitchell Lowe, the former MoviePass CEO, also got into hot water. He pleaded guilty last September and could face up to five years in prison. Farnsworth's actions were a big deal. They sent shockwaves through Hollywood when MoviePass first launched. But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. The service grew too fast and couldn't keep up. It left behind millions of disappointed subscribers. Now, Farnsworth faces a harsh reality. He could spend years in prison for his dishonest actions. His lawyer says he's ready to take responsibility. It's a reminder that while some business ideas might seem great, they can also lead to big problems if they're built on lies.