Guy Sebastian’s manager Titus Day accused of defrauding star out of $1.15m
Police have told a court they believe Guy Sebastian’s former manager Titus Day has other high profile ‘victims’ but the star-maker has walked free on $10,000 bail after appearing before a magistrate.
NSW
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Guy Sebastian’s former celebrity manager Titus Day has been granted bail after allegedly defrauding the star of more than $1.15 million dollars – but police believe there are more “high profile” victims.
Day, 47, appeared before Waverley Local Court via videolink on Thursday picking lint from a black jumper as Magistrate Ross Hudson outlined the case against him.
Police allege Day’s talent management company, 6 Degrees, handled a trust account for payments made to his stars from oversees royalties.
Day looked sombre as he walked from Waverley Police Station on bail on Thursday afternoon.
He tried to skirt around a waiting press pack but refused to comment — his lawyer Lauren McDougall repeated that the charges would be defended.
The court heard investigators believe 24 payments, destined for Mr Sebastian between January 2015 and March 2020, entered the trust but only five were passed on to the Australian Idol winner.
“The other 19 were kept in the account or diverted into another account,” Mr Hudson read from police allegations.
But investigators also allege the 61 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, laid against Day on Wednesday night, aren’t “isolated”.
“Police strongly believe there are more high profile victims of the accused,” Mr Hudson said.
The investigation is now turning to his other clients to see if any money was “siphoned off into other accounts”, the court heard.
The court heard Day told police he was the only person who made transactions in or out of the trust account.
Day was arrested at his Bondi home on Wednesday evening and taken to Waverley police station where he was interviewed.
The court heard Day, in that interview, offered up few answers simply telling police the matter was before the civil courts and he was “unsure” about some of their questions.
Police were initially concerned Day might flee Australia – the court heard he is Nigerian born and has an American born wife.
He also has a high-profile UFC fighter in America on his books.
But prosecutors changed their tune in court agreeing that Day could comply with certain bail conditions to reduce that risk.
The court granted his bail saying one of Day’s trusted friends would post $10,000 surety and the star manager would live at his Bondi home and report to Waverley Police Station each day.
He will also not be allowed near any international point of departure and can not contact Guy Sebastian unless through a lawyer.
Sebastian released a statement on Thursday following news of the police charges.
“I am aware of the charges laid by police against my former manager Titus Day,” Sebastian said.
“As has been reported, I have had an ongoing dispute with Titus for a number of years, and today I am absolutely devastated to learn the nature and detail of these charges.
“After over a decade of partnership, I parted ways with Titus’ management company in November 2017.
“Over these last years, my integrity and reputation have been questioned, and many untruths have been publicly stated. For me, this has been deeply personal and this period has been the toughest of my life.”
Day’s lawyer, outside court, said the manager would fight the charges and was relieved to have been granted bail. The case will return to court on July 21.
The development marks another nasty turn in the bitter split between the pair, which occurred in November 2017 after 12 years together.
The men are already suing each other in the Federal Court over claims to royalties and allegedly unpaid fees.
Sebastian’s lawyers have argued neighbouring rights royalties from the sale of his work have gone missing and he wants $200,000 from his former manager.
Day is also claiming to be owed $800,000 from Sebastian.
Last month, The Daily Telegraph reported Sebastian had taken out 24-hour-a-day security at his Maroubra home. The singer wouldn’t elaborate at the time as to what prompted the decision.
The 38-year-old lives in the home with wife of 12 years, Jules, and their two young sons, Hudson and Archer.