Hollywood actress Lucinda Jane Weist Manera, known for her roles in "Blown Away," "Predator 2," and "The Silencers," pleaded guilty Monday to being an accessory after the fact for aiding her fugitive boyfriend, tech CEO Bernhard Eugen Fritsch, in evading federal authorities.
Weist admitted to helping Fritsch, who was convicted of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, escape the U.S. and fund his time on the run in Mexico. She also researched options for him to flee to Germany, where extradition is generally prohibited.
The 63-year-old actress faces up to five years in federal prison. She was married to director Jim Manera, who directed and co-wrote the 2014 political drama "Atlas Shrugged Part III: Who Is John Galt?"
Fritsch, 64, the founder and CEO of Santa Monica-based StarClub Inc., was found guilty in April 2025 of wire fraud. Prosecutors stated that between 2014 and 2017, Fritsch orchestrated a scheme that defrauded investors of more than $20 million by falsely promoting his celebrity-focused technology company. The company's app, StarSite, was marketed as a platform for celebrities and influencers to monetize their brand endorsements and social media posts.
To lure investors, Fritsch falsely claimed StarClub had generated millions in revenue and was close to securing lucrative partnerships and buyout offers from major entertainment companies, including Disney. He cultivated a celebrity image around the company, hosting events attended by stars such as Tyrese Gibson and Enrique Iglesias, and actresses Caitlin O’Connor and Elise Neal.
Prosecutors revealed that Fritsch used the invested funds to finance his extravagant lifestyle, including renovating a Malibu mansion and purchasing luxury vehicles and a yacht, rather than investing in the company's technology. Authorities estimate the scheme caused at least $25 million in losses, with one victim alone investing over $20 million.
Following his conviction, Fritsch failed to appear for a hearing and fled across the U.S.-Mexico border. Weist's plea agreement details her assistance, including lying to FBI agents about her contact with Fritsch. From June to September 2025, she made at least 10 payments totaling approximately $7,475 to a third party harboring Fritsch in Mexico and authorized a $534 bank charge for his hotel stay.
In September 2025, Weist searched online for information regarding Fritsch's potential escape to his native Germany. Fritsch was sentenced in absentia in October 2025 to 15 years in federal prison, fined $35,000, and ordered to pay over $26.8 million in restitution. His appeal was dismissed in April 2026 under the fugitive disentitlement doctrine.