Guy Sebastian’s years-long legal dispute with his former manager, Titus Day, has drawn to a close through a confidential settlement, after the talent agent acknowledged the singer had not received all payments owed to him.
“There were many instances in which payments that should have been passed on to Guy, were not,” Day admitted in a statement.
The breakdown in Sebastian’s relationship with Day began nearly 10 years ago, when the singer grew concerned that his close friend and manager had failed to forward money that was due to him.
After repeated efforts to settle the matter privately went nowhere, the Battle Scars performer went to police, handing over evidence that ultimately led to Day’s arrest and prosecution.
In 2022, a jury found Day guilty of embezzling almost $625,000, and he was handed a maximum prison term of four years.
He spent seven months behind bars before being released on appeal, with the case then set down for a retrial in 2025.
At the retrial, Day was acquitted of four embezzlement charges, while the jury was unable to reach verdicts on the remaining 31 counts.
Prosecutors later decided not to pursue a third trial, leading Sebastian to continue his civil claim before the matter was resolved by settlement.
Guy Sebastian’s long-running legal battle with former manager Titus Day (pictured) has ended in a confidential settlement, with Day apologising and admitting payments owed to the singer were not passed on
A settlement has now brought the bitter dispute to an end on Tuesday.
‘I would do things differently if I had my time again,’ Day said.
‘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, including income that my company continued to receive after Guy left my management company in late 2017.’
Day said his company, 6 Degrees, failed to ‘properly account for and pass on those payments, which was the result of his mistake.
‘I accept that my failures at that time had a serious and regrettable impact on Guy and his family, for which I apologise,’ he said.
‘During the time when I was managing Guy, and after it, I made a number of regrettable decisions which have had painful consequences, not only for me and my family, but also for Guy and his family.
‘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.
‘I would do things differently if I had my time again.’
The talent agent managed Sebastian for about a decade and the men were once close friends
‘I thank Guy for his willingness to discontinue the civil legal proceedings against me and allow each of us and our families to move on from the dispute.’
Sebastian’s lawyer, Mark Faraday, said Day’s statement ‘speaks for itself’.
‘It contains a clear apology, an acceptance of responsibility and an acknowledgement that payments owed to Guy were not passed on,’ Faraday said.
‘As stated by Mr Day, my client was willing to resolve this matter very early, and on incredibly fair terms. 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.
‘Obviously, 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 said he pursued the legal dispute as a matter of principle.
‘I never could have imagined the twists and turns this ordeal would take,’ 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.’
Sebastian found ‘anomalies’ in financial records after he split from Day
Sebastian with wife Jules
Sebastian and Titus were once close friends.
‘Our kids grew up together; they were best friends,’ Sebastian told the Sydney Morning Herald.
‘You think about the times we sat across the table from each other, and the times our kids ran through the park under sprinklers. [Day’s wife] Courtney and Jules were constantly hanging out and Titus and I were travelling the world.’
Sebastian broke down sobbing in a toilet cubicle at a NSW courtroom while giving evidence against Day and in desperation he prayed.
‘Then I felt guilty,’ he said. ‘It was like, “Ah, I’ll just say a prayer when the s*** hits the fan.” I haven’t prayed for so long [and now I’m] just asking for help when things are rubbish.’
