Hollywood actress helped fugitive boyfriend evade authorities after he scammed investors out of $20 million

Published: 03:19, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 03:19, 1 July 2026 A Hollywood actress is facing jail time after helping her convicted fraudster boyfriend flee the country. Lucinda Jane Weist Manera, 63, pleaded guilty Monday to being an accessory after the fact for helping Bernhard Eugen Fritsch, 64, evade the cops after he scammed investors out of $20 million through his software company.  The actress - known as 'Lucy Weist' and for roles in Blown Away and The Silencers -faces up to five years in federal prison after she hid Fritsch from police, helped him hide out in Mexico, and funded his escape back to his native country, Germany. Manera knowingly assisted her boyfriend after his April 2025 federal wire fraud conviction, per the US Department of Justice. From 2014 to 2017, Fritsch scammed investors out of millions by lying about his tech company’s financial performance and a software app called StarSite, designed to help celebrities and influencers monetize brand endorsements. The fraudster made up a string of false claims to pique investors’ interest, boasting millions in revenue and looming deals with major media companies, including Disney. He even managed to link celebrities to his company StarClub Inc - actresses Caitlin O’Connor and Elise Neal attended his promotional events, the New York Post reported.  Fritsch said he would use investors’ money to build out StarClub’s channels and technology - but instead used the millions to fund his lavish lifestyle. Lucinda Jane Weist Manera, 63, pleaded guilty Monday after helping her convicted fraudster boyfriend flee the country Lucinda Weist in Murder, She Wrote (1984) she has known roles in Blown Away and The Silencers Bernhard Eugen Fritsch, 64, scammed investors out of millions by lying about his tech company’s financial performance The fraudster enriched himself with luxury cars, including a McLaren and a Rolls-Royce, while also upgrading his yacht and renovating his Malibu mansion.  Fritsch was found guilty of wire fraud on April 3, 2025, and his girlfriend was in the courtroom when the verdict was read. The 64-year-old was free on bond, with a June 2, 2025 hearing set on his potential remand into federal custody. But on the day of the hearing, the fugitive boyfriend fled the US by car and crossed into Mexico to avoid being thrown behind bars. From June to September 2025, Manera helped Fritsch evade apprehension and punishment, including lying to FBI agents that she hadn’t spoken to him within a day of his June 2 hearing.   The actress made at least 10 payments between June and September 2025, totaling about $7,475, to a third party, aware that Fritsch was hiding at that person’s home.  The loyal girlfriend also authorized a $534 charge on her bank account to cover Fritsch’s hotel stay in Mexico.  Manera knowingly assisted her boyfriend after his April 2025 federal wire fraud conviction Michael Jackson and Fritsch, he was found guilty of wire fraud on April 3, 2025 Fritsch attends StarClub Inc's Private Party hosted by Tyrese Gibson US actor Wesley Snipes, German moderator Verona Pooth and Bernhard Fritsch attend the Bertelsmann Summer Party at Bertelsmann Repraesentanz In September 2025, Manera searched the web for information on how Fritsch could leave Mexico and travel to Germany, which generally prohibits extradition of its citizens. Fritsch was later sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison, fined $35,000, and ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution in October 2025. Authorities are still requesting he surrender. US District Judge Dale S Fischer has set an October 5 sentencing hearing for Manera. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.