LOS ANGELES - The search for those behind the anti-Muslim film that triggered mobs in Egypt and Libya has led to a California man once convicted of financial crimes. The man acknowledged his role Wednesday in managing and providing logistics for the film production.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula told The Associated Press that he was manager for the company that produced "Innocence of Muslims," which mocked Muslims and the prophet Mohammed and was implicated in inflaming mobs that attacked U.S. missions in Egypt and Libya

Nakoula denied he directed the film or that he knew the self-described director, Sam Bacile. But the cellphone number that the AP contacted Tuesday to reach Bacile traced to an address near Los Angeles where Nakoula was found. Federal court papers said Nakoula's aliases included Nicola Bacily and Erwin Salameh.