Pop star Guy Sebastian’s former manager’s fight to recoup $1m in legal costs

The former manager of pop star Guy Sebastian spent more than $1m fighting claims he defrauded his famous client, a court has been told.

Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian’s former manager spent more than $1m battling to overturn his convictions for defrauding his famous client, a court has been told.

Titus Emanuel Day was jailed for at least two and a half years in November 2022 after a jury found him guilty of 34 fraud-related charges, including misappropriating more than $620,000.

He successfully quashed his convictions on appeal last year and is due to face a retrial in May 2025. The manager to the stars has continued to deny the allegations against him.

Mr Day’s lawyers have filed an application to delay his retrial until the Director of Public Prosecutions has compensated him for the legal bills he incurred during the initial trial and appeal.

Titus Day is fighting to have his legal bills paid after he overturned his convictions for defrauding his client, Guy Sebastian. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

His barrister Thomas Woods told the NSW District Court on Monday the prosecution had previously agreed to negotiate after conceding it should pay some of Mr Day’s costs.

“That negotiation hasn’t proved fruitful,” he said.

The court was told the prosecution made an offer to Mr Day on Monday morning, but it was not accepted.

Mr Woods said the initial trial and appeal cost his client well over $1m, but he was only asking to recoup $1,093,240.44.

Crown prosecutor Katrina Mackenzie told the court the prosecution had offered to pay Mr Day just under $300,000 in compensation.

She argued “the quantum sought has been continually changing” throughout the negotiation process.

Ms Mackenzie asked for more time to consider the new costs bill put forward by Mr Day’s legal team for “a large amount of money which will ultimately be paid by the public purse.”

He attended court on Monday with his barrister Thomas Woods and solicitor Lauren MacDougall. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

The most recent total presented to the prosecution included “charges for the accused’s civil matters” and other unrelated costs, Ms Mackenzie claimed.

The court was told Mr Day had changed representation during his protracted legal battle, which complicated the financial analysis.

Mr Woods maintained it was “very important” that the costs dispute be resolved before addressing any elements of Mr Day’s next legal battle.

“From my client’s perspective, unless adequate costs are paid, he’s not in a position to defend himself at trial next year,” he said.

The parties will return to court later this week to discuss whether Judge Mark Williams should order a temporary stay for Mr Day’s retrial until payment of costs has been made.

The allegations stem from the years-long professional relationship between Mr Day and Mr Sebastian.

Mr Day became Mr Sebastian’s manager in 2009 – six years after the musician rose to fame by winning the inaugural season of Australian Idol.

Titus Day and Guy Sebastian were close friends when they worked together.

The pair became close friends but that ended eight years later when they had a bitter falling out.

Mr Sebastian claimed he had found anomalies in his financial records, which he blamed on his then-manager.

He launched legal proceedings against Mr Day to recoup the money he claimed he was owed.

Mr Day hit back with a counterclaim in which he alleged he was the one owed money by the award-winning musician.

Both men have continued to deny the allegations against them.

Originally published as Pop star Guy Sebastian’s former manager’s fight to recoup $1m in legal costs