Hotton has been charged with defrauding the show's producers out of $600,000 – which he reportedly received in exchange for bringing investors into the show, including a "Paul Abrams," who never existed.

The show was originally set to open on Broadway in Spring 2012 and was postponed for lack of financing. Another opening was then set for November 19, but was ultimately canceled under similar circumstances.

Hotton reportedly had arranged for a total of four investors to contribute $4.5 million to production, but Sprecher -- who had never met "Abrams" – was told that Abrams had reportedly died of malaria over the summer.

Additionally, Hotton has been charged in an unrelated real estate scheme in Long Island. His lawyer, Gerald L. Shargel, has yet to publicly comment on any of the charges.