Backstreet Boys founder gets 25 years for $300m fraud

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Boy band mogul Lou Pearlman could reduce his sentence if he gives it back

Backstreet Boys
Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync founder Lou Pearlman has been sentenced to a 25 year prison sentence for an estimated $300m fraud. The boy band mastermind spent 20 years tricking banks, family and friends by enticing them to invest in two fake companies.

In what was perhaps a moment of leniency, the judge told Pearlman he could reduce his jail term by one month for every $1m he returned to his victims. If we do the math, and these figures are correct, Pearlman needs to hand over the exact $300m he stole in the first place for his 25 year sentence to be revoked.

So in theory, Lou Pearlman could walk free. Providing he hasn´t spent any of the money of course...

You can read a more descriptive account of the case on BBC News.

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