A boyfriend who hired Guy Sebastian to sing at his wedding in Venice has denied wanting to support him by giving false evidence in the trial for embezzlement of the pop star’s ex-manager, as the texts between the couple are they revealed in court.
Christian Bugno testified that he spoke with Sebastian about the wedding transaction many years ago, but later told the jury that the singer sent him a text message on May 23 at 12:27 p.m., Las Vegas time.
Sebastian, whose interrogation continued at trial on May 24, started a string of texts with one that said, “Brother, I’m sorry, but this is so urgent because I’m in court.”
Mr Bugno testified on Thursday from Las Vegas in the NSW District Court trial against Titus Emanuel Day, accused of embezzling nearly $ 1 million from Sebastian.
The 49-year-old has pleaded not guilty to 50 counts, including fraudulent embezzlement of money allegedly due to Sebastian through copyright and performance fees.
He also denies 50 alternative offenses of theft or robbery.
Guy Sebastian is suing his former manager Titus Day, accusing him of embezzling nearly $ 1 million during his time working together.
The texts between Guy Sebastian and Christian Bugno. The couple chatted last week about business class flights
Guy Sebastian’s former manager Titus Day (pictured) is being sued by the singer at Sydney’s Downing Center Court
Pop singer Jules Sebastian’s wife will be questioned on Friday after presenting a brief test Thursday afternoon about being an ambassador for a couple of months in 2015 from an organization called Play Kids.
He agreed to be paid $ 15,000 and was sent an email from Day referring to the first payment of $ 6,403.25, an amount he agreed to be credited to his bank account.
Bugno stated that he initially contacted a company called Vogue Entertainment repeatedly to arrange for Sebastian to perform at his 2016 wedding in Venice.
But when he had no answer, he contacted the singer directly.
He said he did not receive any invoices from Vogue but paid the performance fee to Day’s company, Six Degrees.
Mr Bugno said he was also involved in paying for business-class flights to Venice for Sebastian and Day.
The trial was postponed briefly when Mr. Bugno revealed that he had sent a trail of emails to Vogue Entertainment over a four-month period about his willingness to hire Sebastian for his wedding.
“Did you talk to Mr. Sebastian about it?” Day lawyer Dominic Toomey SC asked.
“My communication with Mr. Sebastian was many years ago when I first moved to Las Vegas,” he replied.
“I said that if I can support it at any time, I will be happy to give it a try.”
But he later said Sebastian had contacted him about a week ago and picked up his cell phone showing his exchanges that the pop singer began on May 23rd.
Jules Sebastian (right) declares Friday
Jules will testify on Friday in support of her husband. Guy is suing his former manager for alleged embezzlement
After writing that he was in court, he asked if there was any way that Mr. Bugno could find out who paid for Day’s flight to Venice.
“Yeah, Dad,” he replied, saying the tickets were business class.
“Thank you brother, this is an amazing moment. I’ll call you once it’s over and I’ve finished giving witnesses,” Sebastian said.
Toomey referred the testimony to his previous trial when he said he had not communicated with Sebastian on the matter.
“That was not true,” the lawyer said.
Mr Bugno agreed, but said he did not understand the question and apologized, saying he understood that he was being asked about his initial conversation with Sebastian “then”.
“I was baffled by the situation,” he said.
“It wasn’t true because you were here looking to support Mr. Sebastian,” Mr. Toomey said.
“Wrong,” replied Mr. Bugno.
The trial continues before Judge Timothy Gartelmann.