Wild details emerge after Hollywood star smuggled charming liar boyfriend out of California as luxe life fell apart
A Hollywood actress bought burner phones, spent thousands of dollars and helped her convicted fraudster boyfriend escape from California as his luxurious Malibu lifestyle fell apart, according to new court filings.Lucinda Jane Weist Manera, known for her roles in “Blown Away” and “Predator 2,” helped Bernhard Eugen Fritsch escape to Mexico just before he was supposed to return to federal court last year, prosecutors say in a sentencing memo obtained by LA Magazine.Prosecutors admitted the 63-year-old actress was “under the romantic influence of a charming, skilled liar” when she helped the tech CEO escape.The biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.
Please provide a valid email.By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Never miss a story Now, they are asking a judge to sentence her to 18 months in prison after she pleaded guilty to one felony count of being an accessory after the fact.New details show that Manera paid $3,500 on May 31, 2025, to a man who flew to Los Angeles the next day to help take Fritsch to Mexico, according to the outlet.She also reportedly bought two burner phones from Best Buy so she and Fritsch could stay in touch while he was on the run.Fritsch was convicted of wire fraud in April 2025 for a large scheme involving his Santa Monica tech company, StarClub Inc., which prosecutors said took tens of millions of dollars from investors.Despite the conviction, he remained free on an $8.2 million bond while awaiting a June 2 hearing that could have sent him to jail before sentencing.Instead, Fritsch fled.On June 1, the man Manera reportedly paid flew to Los Angeles and rented a car to drive Fritsch away, according to the sentencing memo.
Fritsch was taken to Arizona, where he met someone else who took him into Sinaloa and gave him a place to stay.Prosecutors said Manera then spent months helping him avoid the authorities.Fritsch was...