Producer accused of $5m 'TV scam'

President Bush was said to have approved the TV show

A Hollywood producer has been charged after allegedly taking $5.5m (£3.3m) from investors for a TV drama he said was backed by US President George Bush.

The US attorney's office alleges Joseph Medawar, 43, collected money from investors for two years but spent the majority of it on himself.

It said Mr Medawar had falsely claimed the White House had endorsed the proposed series, called DHS.

Mr Medawar had previously produced several B-movies in the 1980s.

He has been charged with mail fraud, relating to documents given to the FBI, and obstruction of justice.

"The US government will not stand for individuals who use the name of the government to commit crimes and steal money from victims," assistant US attorney David Willingham said.

More than 70 investors, including churches, had invested money in the series on the basis that DHS - Department of Homeland Security - had been personally approved by Mr Bush.

Heavily-promoted

Former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge was also said to have offered his support to the project.

Prosecutors allege the money was spent on cars, houses and expensive dinners for Mr Medawar and his associate, Alison Heruth-Waterbury, who was billed as the star of DHS.

Mr Medawar heavily promoted the series, giving interviews to newspapers and taking out adverts in Hollywood trade papers.

But prosecutors allege they found no information "to indicate (Medawar) actually took steps to produce a television series".

Ms Heruth-Waterbury, who is co-founder of Steeple Entertainment with Mr Medawar, has not been charged in the case. Investigations are ongoing.