Guy Sebastian’s former manager, Titus Day, has been released on bail after being convicted of embezzling over $650,000 from the singer. Day, 49, was sentenced to a maximum of four years in jail for 34 counts of embezzlement by a clerk or servant. However, he was granted bail after lodging an appeal against his conviction. Day spent seven months in prison before his release from St Hellier’s Correctional Facility near Newcastle. His lawyer, Lauren MacDougall, informed him of his impending release, to which he expressed happiness.
Under his bail conditions, Day must adhere to certain rules including good behavior, daily reporting to the police, no contact with Sebastian or witnesses from his trial, and staying at least 100 meters away from international airports. While he was successful in one of his three grounds for appeal, the remaining two are still being considered by the NSW Court of Appeal. If Day is successful on any of these grounds, he could potentially be acquitted.
Day’s relationship with Sebastian spanned roughly a decade, and the two were once close friends. Sebastian’s allegations against Day involved 50 counts of embezzlement totaling at least $886,175 in royalties, performance fees, and an ambassadorship dating from 2013 to 2020. Last June, a jury found Day guilty of 34 offenses amounting to $624,675 and deliberated for nearly a week. Judge Tim Gartelmann sentenced Day at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court in November, stating that while the offenses were committed for financial gain, there was no conclusive evidence to prove greed as a motive. Judge Gartelmann noted the absence of remorse from Day and the uncertainties regarding his rehabilitation prospects. Nevertheless, he regarded Day’s chances of re-offending as low.
The court case garnered considerable public attention, further exacerbating the already damaged reputations of both Day and Sebastian. The proceedings also involved their wives, who were previously friends. This acrimonious split between the two men caused shockwaves in the entertainment industry.
Throughout the trial, Sebastian faced intense scrutiny, and his personal finances were laid bare. The jury heard details of the substantial sums Sebastian earned for performances, including his involvement in Taylor Swift’s Australian tour, for which he was paid $494,360. Other notable payments included $54,341 for a wedding performance, $66,000 from McDonald’s for a conference appearance, and $49,114.62 for performing at Allianz Stadium during the British and Irish Lions rugby tour. Sebastian also revealed that major companies compensated him with goods rather than cash payments, such as a boat, international airfares, and the use of two Toyota LandCruisers.
The trial was marked by numerous obstacles, including the death of the original judge, the dismissal of five jurors, and Sebastian and Crown Prosecutor David Morters SC contracting Covid-19. Sebastian expressed feeling as though he was on trial, with most of the media attention aimed at him. During his testimony, Sebastian admitted that he did not notice hundreds of thousands of dollars missing from his bank account for years due to his multiple income sources.
Sebastian’s termination of his contract with Day in 2017 sparked a bitter rivalry, which led to an eventual civil claim against Day for outstanding payments. Day countered by claiming that Sebastian owed him money, prompting an examination of banking records that revealed further irregularities. Ultimately, Sebastian reported the matter to the police. Sebastian believed he was owed $1.2 million in outstanding commissions.
In court, Sebastian struggled to recall details of financial records presented by Day’s defense. He confessed to not having a strong understanding of financial matters and relied on others for assistance. Sebastian also revealed that Day contributed minimally to his songwriting and televised appearances, yet charged exorbitant fees when called upon, such as a $200,000 fee for appearing as a judge on The X Factor. Despite the strained relationship between the two, Sebastian claimed to feel more disappointed than resentful towards Day.
In addition to character references from Tina Arena and others, the trial had its fair share of complications and controversies. Regardless, Day’s release on bail allows him to pursue his appeal, potentially leading to a different outcome.
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