Celebrity manager Titus Day has admitted to withholding cash from singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian, drawing a near decade-long legal battle between the former friends to a close.
Day, who was jailed in 2022 for embezzlement, released a statement on Monday acknowledging he made “a number of regrettable decisions” during his time managing the former Australian Idol winner.
The dispute began nine years ago after Sebastian began to suspect that Day was withholding large payments. Anthony Johnson
“I acknowledge that, long before any criminal investigation, charges or trials, Guy attempted to settle with me on what I now consider to be incredibly fair terms,” the celebrity manager said in a statement.
“I would do things differently if I had my time again.
“At an early stage in the dispute, I should have been more reasonable and less emotional, which I have no doubt would have led to a swifter and more conciliatory outcome.
“I take full responsibility for this.
“Looking back on the latter half of the time when I was managing Guy’s career, I can see that I had become a poor steward of Guy’s income.”
Day added that there were times in which payments that were meant for Sebastian never made it into his hands.
“I accept that my failures at that time had a serious and regrettable impact on Guy and his family, for which I apologise.”
Titus Day was jailed in 2022 after being found guilty of embezzling almost $625,000. Janie Barrett
The dispute began nearly a decade ago when Sebastian suspected his former friend was withholding large sums of money from him.
After the singer-songwriter reported his concerns to authorities, Day was arrested and charged.
He was originally convicted in 2022 of embezzling almost $625,000 and sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison.
However, he was released on appeal after serving seven months and a second criminal trial ended with Day acquitted of four embezzlement counts, while the jury deadlocked on the remaining 31 charges.
When prosecutors decided against a third criminal trial, the ARIA Award winner launched civil proceedings against his former manager.
Sebastian’s lawyer, Mark Faraday, released a statement shortly after Day’s on Wednesday, stating he was pleased with the outcome and acceptance of responsibility shown by the former manager.
“My client was willing to resolve this matter very early, and on incredibly fair terms,” Faraday said.
“A private resolution has always been Guy’s preference. Unfortunately, this did not happen, and the matter took many unexpected turns over a long period of time.
“Guy wishes Mr Day had taken this approach much sooner. However, he appreciates that the parties have finally arrived at a place where they can all move on.
“For Guy, this is not just a legal settlement; he genuinely wishes Mr Day and his family better times ahead.”
Sebastian echoed his lawyer’s sentiments, adding that he “never could have imagined the twists and turns this ordeal would take”.
“I know this impacted a lot of people around me, but I believed it was something I couldn’t walk away from,” he said.
“With the accountability shown and the apology Mr Day has provided in his statement, I am prepared to put aside my claim against him, forgive, and move forward.”