Idolator

Things aren't looking so good for Lou Pearlman. Facing 130 years in prison for what is described at the largest Ponzi scheme in history and locked up in a Florida jail awaiting trial, Pearlman probably wonders if he has any friends left in this cruel world. Good news, Lou! You can count on one person: former LFO member and current male model Brad Fischetti.

Justin Timberlake once said of experience with Pearlman: "I was being monetarily raped by a Svengali." Did you feel that way as far your experience with Pearlman serving as manager for LFO is concerned?

I can't say that I feel the same. Like *NSYNC, LFO went through contract renegotiations with Lou and his label, Transcontinental Records. Since *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys had renegotiated with Lou prior to the LFO negotiation, we were able to benefit from their cases and settle with Lou without too much hardship — although it did cost us a very significant amount of money in legal fees. Further, the case with *NSYNC and BSB was probably much more complex since both bands sold many more millions of records than did LFO. Perhaps his contracts were unfair but who else would be willing to sink a million or more dollars into your band?

It's unfortunate that the relationship between Lou and BSB, *NSYNC and LFO had to essentially end over money because for some time there, Lou headed up quite an empire. I think at least one or two members from each band was able to redevelop a friendship with Lou after the legal battles, but the business relationship was clearly never the same.

How do you feel about Pearlman serving jail time while his case is prepared?

To be honest, it bothers me tremendously. Not only to see my friend on TV being lead away in handcuffs, but by the way the majority of the media has made a spectacle out of his arrest. I don't know specifics of what's going on except for what I read in the paper, but I do know that this situation is not a joke. It's serious business not only for Lou, but for the banks and investors who have allegedly lost money. I can only hope that Lou is able to develop a plan to resolve the situation. If anyone can, it's Lou.

Fischetti is right; if anyone could resolve a situation in which a person was accused of defrauding investors and banks of nearly half a billion dollars, it's the man who brought us O-Town. Your guest editor cries a little tear for Pearlman and his artists, with whom he's not speakin'/Michael J. Fox was Alex P. Keaton.

LFO Singer Sounds Off on Former Manager [AOL Music]