Geoff Greenwood, Communications Director
515-281-6699, geoff.greenwood@iowa.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, January 24, 2012

Film Defendant Pleads Guilty, Sentenced

(DES MOINES, Iowa)  A California film producer who is currently serving federal prison time pleaded guilty in Polk County District Court Tuesday to state charges of fraud, forgery, and conspiracy to commit forgery.

In 2009 Harel Goldstein (a.k.a. Harel Gold), 50, of Calabasas, produced the film “Underground” in Newton during the existence of Iowa’s Film Office tax credit program.  In court today, Goldstein admitted that he used the alias “Harel Gold” while contracting with the State of Iowa because he wanted to hide the fact that he already had pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud for forgeries in relation to film financing.  During his guilty plea, Goldstein stated that former Iowa Film Office Manager Tom Wheeler was aware of his true name and history, but Goldstein stated that Wheeler allowed him to sign contracts as “Harel Gold.”

During filming, Goldstein created false invoices from individuals who did not actually work on the film, then used them to support false expense claims for tax credits.

The Office of the Attorney General discovered that after Goldstein received and photocopied cashier’s checks issued by banks for his purported film project expenses, he returned to the banks and cancelled them, with the funds returned to his own account.  Goldstein then submitted pre-cancelled check photocopies to the Attorney General to support his false claims.

The state shut down its film tax credit program before Goldstein submitted the copies.

Goldstrein will face an estimated year-long extension of his 46-month federal sentence.  He pleaded guilty to all three counts as charged without a plea deal.  As a result, Polk County District Judge Karen Romano agreed with recommendations from both parties and sentenced Goldstein to three suspended sentences, including two years of probation, and a $2,500 fine.  Goldstein was also ordered to pay the cost of transporting him to Iowa and back to California.

Remaining Iowa Film Office criminal cases:

Dennis Brouse, 61, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, owner of Changing Horses Productions, is charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B felony), Theft in the First Degree (Class C felony), and Fraudulent Practice in the First Degree (Class C felony).  Brouse, who has pleaded not guilty, is scheduled for trial on March 5, 2012 in Polk County District Court.

Chad Witter, 38, of Bettendorf, a tax credit broker, is charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct (Class B felony), two counts of Theft in the First Degree (Class C felony), and two counts of Fraudulent Practice in the First Degree (Class C felony).  Witter, who has pleaded not guilty, is scheduled for trial on April 16, 2012 in Polk County District Court.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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