Guy Sebastian has ended his long-running legal battle with former manager Titus Day after the pair reached a confidential settlement and Day apologised over payments that were not passed on to the singer.
The settlement brings an end to a dispute stretching back almost a decade, which has included two criminal trials, Day serving seven months in prison and, most recently, a civil case launched by Sebastian.
Day’s statement, dated August 10th, containing what Sebastian’s lawyer, Mark Faraday, described as “a clear apology, an acceptance of responsibility and an acknowledgement that payments owed to Guy were not passed on”.
In his statement, Day said he had become “a poor steward” of Sebastian’s income during the latter half of his management of the singer’s career, including income his company continued to receive after Sebastian left in late 2017.
“There were many instances in which payments that should have been passed on to Guy, were not,” Day said.
“My management company’s failure to properly account for and pass on those payments to Guy was the result of my mistake. I accept that my failures at that time had a serious and regrettable impact on Guy and his family, for which I apologise.”
Day said he would have handled the dispute differently with hindsight. “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.”
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He also acknowledged that Sebastian had tried to settle the matter long before any criminal proceedings began, on terms he now considers “incredibly fair”.
Faraday said Sebastian had always preferred a private resolution and had been willing to settle early. “Unfortunately, this did not happen, and the matter took many unexpected turns over a long period of time,” he said.
“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.”
Faraday also praised Sebastian’s handling of the long-running matter. “I have observed the positive impact Guy has in the community countless times,” he said. “As a very public person, he has a strong sense of responsibility on many fronts. I’m pleased that through his own difficult circumstances, Guy has been able to place the need for high standards in the management of artists under a spotlight.”
Sebastian, winner of the first season of Australian Idol in 2003, began working with Day in 2006 when he signed with 22 Management. Day poached Sebastian for his own agency, 6 Degrees, in 2009 and managed him for 11 and a half years in total.
Sebastian first suspected Day of withholding payments almost a decade ago. After multiple attempts to resolve the matter privately failed, Sebastian took his evidence to police, leading to Day’s arrest and charge. In 2022, a jury found Day guilty of embezzling almost $625,000, and he was sentenced to a maximum of four years in prison. He was released on appeal after serving seven months.
A second criminal trial followed in 2025. Day was found not guilty on four embezzlement counts, but the jury was discharged after failing to reach a verdict on the remaining 31 counts. Prosecutors elected not to pursue a third trial, prompting Sebastian to launch the civil action that has now been settled.
“I never could have imagined the twists and turns this ordeal would take,” Sebastian 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.”
Day said he thanked Sebastian “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.”
From Mediaweek
