Hollywood actress hid wanted scammer CEO boyfriend, bankrolled his escape

A Hollywood actress best known for roles in Blown Away, Predator 2 and The Silencers admitted to helping her fugitive tech CEO boyfriend dodge federal authorities after he fled the US rather than face prison for a multimillion-dollar fraud that duped investors in a celebrity-backed startup.

Lucinda Jane Weist Manera also known as Lucy Weist, pleaded guilty Monday to one felony count of being an accessory after the fact after admitting she helped convicted fraudster Bernhard Eugen Fritsch evade capture, funded his time on the run in Mexico and even researched how he could escape to Germany, where extradition of citizens is generally prohibited.

The actress, who was previously married to director Jim Manera — who directed and co-wrote the 2014 political drama Atlas Shrugged Part III: Who Is John Galt? — faces up to five years in federal prison.

The 63-year-old, who The Post can reveal is the Predator 2 star, knowingly assisted Fritsch after he was convicted by a federal jury in April 2025 of wire fraud, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Fritsch, 64, the founder and CEO of Santa Monica-based StarClub Inc., was found guilty of orchestrating a scheme that swindled investors out of more than $20 million between 2014 and 2017 by falsely promoting his celebrity-focused technology company.

His startup marketed an app called StarSite, claiming it would allow celebrities and social media influencers to monetize their brand endorsements and social media posts.

To attract investors, prosecutors said Fritsch falsely claimed the company had earned millions in revenue and was on the verge of lucrative partnerships, investments and buyout offers from major entertainment companies, including Disney.

The flashy entrepreneur also cultivated a celebrity image around StarClub, hosting glitzy Hollywood events attended by stars including Tyrese Gibson, who hosted a private party for the company in 2014.

Singer Enrique Iglesias was also linked to the venture, while actresses Caitlin O’Connor and Elise Neal, rapper Trinidad James and model Khadija Neumann attended promotional events.

But prosecutors said the business was little more than a vehicle to bankroll Fritsch’s extravagant lifestyle.

Instead of investing the money into the company’s technology, Fritsch spent millions renovating his multimillion-dollar Malibu mansion and buying luxury toys, including a McLaren supercar, a Rolls-Royce and a yacht.

Federal authorities later seized the yacht and both luxury cars as part of forfeiture proceedings.

Authorities estimate the scheme caused at least $25 million in losses, with one victim alone investing more than $20 million in StarClub after believing Fritsch’s false claims.

Manera was seated in the courtroom when the guilty verdict against Fritsch was read. Although convicted, he remained free on bond while awaiting a June 2, 2025 hearing that could have resulted in his immediate detention before sentencing.

Instead, prosecutors said, Fritsch skipped court, drove across the U.S.-Mexico border and disappeared.

According to Manera’s plea agreement, she spent the next several months helping him stay one step ahead of federal authorities.

She admitted lying to FBI agents by falsely claiming she had not spoken with Fritsch around the time he fled.

From June through September 2025, Manera also made at least 10 payments totaling about $7,475 to a third party while knowing Fritsch was hiding at that person’s home in Mexico. She additionally authorized a $534 charge from her bank account to pay for his stay at a Mexican hotel.

Prosecutors said her efforts went beyond financial support. In September 2025, she searched online on Fritsch’s behalf for information about how he could leave Mexico and travel to his native Germany, which generally does not extradite its own citizens.

Fritsch remained a fugitive when he was sentenced in absentia in October 2025 to 15 years in federal prison. He was also fined $35,000 and ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution.

His attempt to overturn the conviction also failed while he remained on the run. In April 2026, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed his appeal under the fugitive disentitlement doctrine, which generally prevents fugitives from seeking appellate relief while they are evading justice. He may ask the court to reinstate the appeal if he surrenders by Aug. 21, 2026.

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