A Tech CEO's Big Lie: How $20 Million Vanished

A tech CEO from Nashville is in hot water. Marcus Cobb, the boss of a startup called Mozaic Payments, is accused of tricking a private equity firm out of $20 million. The startup claimed to have an app for sharing music royalties, but it didn't work. The money was gone by 2025.

The Deception

Cobb and his co-founder lied about the company's success. They:

• Showed fake financial reports
• Made up customer stories

The investor believed them and gave Mozaic $20 million. But the money didn't go to growing the business. Instead, it paid for:

• Fancy trips
• Lavish parties

The Fallout

By early 2025, the money was almost all spent. The investor found out and pulled the plug. Mozaic collapsed, and now Cobb is facing serious charges. He was arrested and released on bond. His lawyer and the investor haven't commented yet.

The Bigger Questions

This story raises concerns about trust in tech startups. Key questions include:

• How can investors protect themselves?
• What red flags should they look for?
• What happens to employees when a company collapses?