The embezzlement trial of Man Sebastian’s former supervisor heard he was concerned in a “massive blow up” with the musician’s accountant about cash.
The alleged battle got here to gentle within the fourth week of the trial towards Titus Day, who’s accused of serving to himself to just about 1,000,000 {dollars} of the star’s earnings.
Mr Day, 49, has pleaded not responsible to 50 counts of fraudulently embezzling round $900,000 value of royalty, efficiency and ambassador funds which have been allegedly meant to go to Mr Sebastian. He additionally denies 50 various counts of larceny.
The pair labored collectively for eight years between 2009 and 2017, with Mr Day controlling the move of funds via his administration firm 6 Levels.
When their relationship suffered a bitter breakdown, Mr Sebastian claimed he found there was cash lacking which was owed to him. He launched authorized motion towards his former supervisor to recoup the cash he was allegedly owed.
On Friday, the court docket heard from Mr Sebastian’s former bookkeeper, Dorcas Kemp, who informed the court docket she had by no means informed the musician she was an accountant.
Ms Kemp informed the court docket she was answerable for facilitating funds when she was given authorisation to take action by staff at Mr Day’s administration firm. The court docket heard she was tasked with paying invoices from a number of sources underneath the authorisation of a wide range of folks.
“I’d obtain emails about what was happening and how one can attribute it,” Ms Kemp mentioned.
“I took route from emails.”
When requested if Mr Sebastian was one of many authorising events, Ms Kemp informed the court docket the musician remained separate from his skilled funds.
“He didn’t become involved within the invoices. He left that to anybody at 6 Levels and to me to pay them,” she mentioned.
Ms Kemp recalled being “very shocked” when Mr Sebastian known as her to chase the fee of greater than $100,000 in royalties from Sony.
The court docket heard the hefty sum had been paid into the mistaken account and had not been detected by the accountants at George Kemp and Associates, the place Ms Kemp was employed.
Regardless of accessing the account, she mentioned the accountants checked the account solely as soon as each three months and hadn’t reported the sudden inflow of greater than $100,000.
Quickly after the error was found, Ms Kemp and her husband met with Mr Day and Mr Sebastian to debate the company construction used to guard the music star’s property.
The court docket heard there was a “massive blow up” between Mr George Kemp and Mr Day, who “expressed shock” that the mental property rights of the previous Australian Idol have been working in the identical entity because the Insanity tour in 2015.
Mr Sebastian parted methods with George Kemp and Associates after the assembly, the court docket heard.
Ms Kemp mentioned, regardless of the misguided royalties fee, she was stunned when the connection dissolved between Mr Sebastian and her husband’s firm.
“We didn’t count on one thing like this is able to occur as a result of we have been working with Man for eight years and it was all going superb,” she mentioned.
“I used to be spending a lot of my time managing Man’s private and enterprise affairs.”
The court docket additionally heard from Rebecca Oxenbould, the Basis Supervisor of the Sebastian Basis, who has labored for the music star since 2016.
The court docket heard Ms Oxenbould was paid with funds from the inspiration and Mr Sebastian’s Guytunes enterprise to carry out private duties for the music star and his spouse.
The court docket heard this might embrace something from selecting up their youngsters from college to paying their private payments.
Nevertheless, Ms Oxenbould denied the matter was “black and white”.
Mr Sebastian had beforehand informed the court docket his earnings stream was so advanced, he was pressured to depend on Mr Day to handle his funds.
“I don’t do a gig after which verify I’ve been paid,” he mentioned.
“The one accounts I’m checking are those I take advantage of each day.”
The trial will resume on Monday.
