Alanis Morissette's ex-manager gets SIX YEARS in prison for stealing $7million from the 'Ironic' singer and other stars

  • Jonathan Todd Schwartz, 47, was sentenced to six years in prison for stealing $7million from Alanis Morissette and other clients
  • While managing her money, Schwartz admitting to stealing nearly $5million from the singer
  • He will have to pay $8.6million in restitution
  • The other victims are not identified
  • Morissette says Schwartz 'stole' her 'dreams' 

A business manager who stole more than $7 million from 'Jagged Little Pill' singer Alanis Morissette and others was sentenced Wednesday to six years in federal prison and ordered to pay $8.6million in restitution.

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, 47, wept and apologized at the hearing, saying he took full responsibility for his behavior and would have a life of shame because of it.

'I alone am responsible for the devastation,' he said, adding: 'I will spend the rest of my life asking for forgiveness.'

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, right, former business manager for singer Alanis Morissette, looks on as his attorney Nathan Hoffman addresses reporters outside U.S. federal court following sentencing in his embezzlement case on Wednesday

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, right, former business manager for singer Alanis Morissette, looks on as his attorney Nathan Hoffman addresses reporters outside U.S. federal court following sentencing in his embezzlement case on Wednesday

Singer Alanis Morissette arrives at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in the embezzlement case of her former money manager Jonathan Todd Schwartz

Singer Alanis Morissette arrives at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in the embezzlement case of her former money manager Jonathan Todd Schwartz

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, right, former investment manager for singer Alanis Morissette, looks on as his attorney Nathan Hoffman addresses reporters outside U.S. federal court

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, right, former investment manager for singer Alanis Morissette, looks on as his attorney Nathan Hoffman addresses reporters outside U.S. federal court

He could have faced more than 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and tax crimes but Judge Dolly Gee hewed to sentencing guidelines that suggested around five to six years.

In a victim statement at the hearing, Morissette had urged a stiff sentence, saying Schwartz had stolen her trust and her money for years.

'He did this in a long, systematic, drawn-out and sinister manner' that would have bankrupted the singer within three years had the thefts continued, Morissette said. 

Alanis was one of the most popular singers of the '90s with her hit debut album 'Jagged Little Pill' selling 33million copies
Alanis was one of the most popular singers of the '90s with her hit debut album 'Jagged Little Pill' selling 33million copies

Alanis was one of the most popular singers of the '90s with her hit debut album 'Jagged Little Pill' selling 33million copies; GSO Business Management began managing her investments

Schwartz was sentenced to six years in federal prison for stealing more than $7 million from the singer and other clients, and was ordered to pay $8.6 million in restitution

Schwartz was sentenced to six years in federal prison for stealing more than $7 million from the singer and other clients, and was ordered to pay $8.6 million in restitution

Schwartz acknowledged stealing nearly $4.8million from Morissette between May 2010 and January 2014 and more than $2 million from five unnamed clients when he worked at GSO Business Management, a firm that touted relationships with entertainers such as Katy Perry, 50 Cent and Tom Petty.

Canadian Morissette was one of the late '90s most successful singers, selling 60million albums worldwide, known for her hits 'You Oughta Know,' 'Ironic,' and 'Hand in My Pocket.'

Schwartz was a high-flying partner making $1.2million a year, according to court papers. 

His crimes cost the firm at least $2million above what insurance covered, led to layoffs of about a dozen employees and is expected to cause some $20million in financial fallout because of the blow to the firm's reputation, according to founder Bernard Gudvi.

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, left, former business manager for singer Alanis Morissette, arrives with his attorney Nathan Hoffman at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in his embezzlement case

Jonathan Todd Schwartz, left, former business manager for singer Alanis Morissette, arrives with his attorney Nathan Hoffman at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in his embezzlement case

The embezzlement was discovered by a new money manager Morissette hired.

'It was at this time, I realized he also stole my dreams,' she said.

When the firm was contacted about the apparent theft, Schwartz made 'wild accusations' that his former client was in the throes of drug addiction and mentally unstable, Gudvi said. 

Schwartz also falsely claimed he invested the money in an illegal marijuana growing business.

'As the walls were closing in on the scheme to steal client funds ... he was unable to turn away from the lies,' Gudvi wrote in a letter to the court. 'The worse things became, the more easily he seemed to dispense with the truth.'

Singer Alanis Morissette, left, arrives with attorney Allen Grodsky at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in the embezzlement case of her former manager Jonathan Todd Schwartz

Singer Alanis Morissette, left, arrives with attorney Allen Grodsky at U.S. federal court for the sentencing in the embezzlement case of her former manager Jonathan Todd Schwartz

Schwartz has blamed the crimes on a gambling addiction but prosecutors said he took the money to finance a lavish lifestyle and never showed sincere regret.

'Every expression of remorse he has made and every purported act of self-improvement he has taken occurred only after he realized he had no 'choice' to do otherwise,' Assistant U.S. Attorney Ranee Katzenstein said in court papers.

Schwartz, who was fired, had offered financial guidance to some of the biggest stars and was said to represent Beyonce and Mariah Carey, who both appeared at a fundraiser last year in support of a heart disease charity he founded.

Schwartz penned a mea culpa in The Hollywood Reporter last month. He said his father was a gambling addict who abandoned his family and he sought refuge in sports betting and drugs to deal with the stress from his business.

Although it is unclear who the other clients are that Schwartz swindled, GSO Business Management managed the financial affairs of many A-list musicians including Katy Perry

Although it is unclear who the other clients are that Schwartz swindled, GSO Business Management managed the financial affairs of many A-list musicians including Katy Perry

Tom Petty and 50 Cent are two of the celebrities that were clients of GSO Business Management
Tom Petty and 50 Cent are two of the celebrities that were clients of GSO Business Management

Tom Petty and 50 Cent are two of the celebrities that were clients of GSO Business Management; Beyonce and Mariah Carey were said to be clients of Schwartz though it is unclear if they had any issues with him

'The spiral I was in was toxic,' Schwartz wrote. 'Winning did not make me feel better but losing was intolerable. If I lost, then I had to make it back and when I lost again, the hole I had dug got deeper and deeper. I felt weak and powerless, terrified by my internal demons that I was turning into my father.'

'I lived a double life since no one other than my bookie knew I had this 'dark' side. At first, I 'borrowed' a little from clients, with the hopes that I would pay them back if I won that night’s bet,' he wrote.

He claimed he was grateful he was finally caught.

'That lucky break never came - thankfully. I say thankfully because when I was finally caught, a bright spotlight shined on my deplorable conduct,' he wrote. 'I could not hide any longer and hit rock bottom. By seeing how pathetic I had become, I finally got the courage to ask for help.'

 

 

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