Louis Jay Pearlman was an American talent manager who achieved significant success in the 1990s by forming and managing popular boy bands. His most notable creations include the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, both of which gained immense popularity and commercial success. However, Pearlman's career was later marred by his involvement in illegal financial schemes, ultimately leading to his conviction for fraud and conspiracy.
June 19, 1954: Lou Pearlman is born
On June 19, 1954, Lou Pearlman, an American talent manager, was born.
1985: Pearlman takes Airship public
After Pearlman took Airship public in 1985, he allegedly engaged in stock manipulation with Jerome Rosen, a partner at Norbay Securities, to inflate the company's stock price.
July 1991: Pearlman relocates Airship International to Orlando
In July 1991, Pearlman relocated Airship International to Orlando, Florida, where he signed MetLife and SeaWorld as clients for his blimps.
September 2002: Pearlman Acquires Options Talent Group
In September 2002, Pearlman purchased Mark Tolner's internet-based talent company, Options Talent Group, which would later operate under various names, including Trans Continental Talent. The companies faced accusations of being scams and received negative press attention.
2002: Aaron Carter sues Pearlman
In 2002, Aaron Carter filed a lawsuit accusing Pearlman and Trans Continental of financial impropriety. The suit was later settled out of court.
2002: Pearlman co-authors "Bands, Brands and Billions"
In 2002, Pearlman co-authored a book with Wes Smith titled "Bands, Brands and Billions: My Top 10 Rules for Making Any Business Go Platinum."
2002: Pearlman purchases Church Street Station
In 2002, Pearlman purchased Church Street Station, a historic train station in downtown Orlando.
June 2004: Fashion Rock files a defamation suit
In June 2004, Fashion Rock, LLC, filed a civil suit for defamation against critics of Pearlman's talent businesses. The case was dismissed in 2006.
2006: Pearlman is accused of running a Ponzi Scheme
In 2006, Pearlman was accused of running one of the longest-running Ponzi schemes in U.S. history, leaving more than $300 million in debts.
2006: Pearlman's Ponzi Scheme Uncovered
In 2006, investigators discovered that Pearlman had been operating a Ponzi scheme for over 20 years, defrauding investors out of more than $1 billion. He used falsified documents and a fake accounting firm to support his fraudulent companies and investment programs.
2006: Pearlman is sued for libel
In 2006, Les Henderson, a Canadian consumer-fraud expert, successfully pursued a libel lawsuit against Pearlman, Tolner, El-Difrawi, and others.
January 2007: Pearlman is last seen in Orlando
Pearlman was last seen in Orlando in late January 2007 before fleeing authorities.
February 2, 2007: Assets of Fashion Rock sold
On February 2, 2007, the assets of Fashion Rock, LLC were sold as part of Pearlman's bankruptcy proceedings.
February 2007: Florida Regulators Declare Trans Continental Savings Program a Fraud
In February 2007, Florida regulators declared Pearlman's Trans Continental Savings Program a massive fraud and seized the company's assets.
March 2007: Pearlman forced into bankruptcy
In March 2007, Pearlman and his companies were forced into involuntary bankruptcy. Trustees and lenders planned to auction off Pearlman's assets but discovered that much of his art and memorabilia collection was fake.
April 2007: Church Street Station auctioned
In April 2007, Church Street Station, a historic train station in downtown Orlando purchased by Pearlman in 2002, was sold for $34 million in a bankruptcy auction.
June 14, 2007: Pearlman Arrested in Indonesia
On June 14, 2007, after fleeing authorities, Pearlman was arrested in Indonesia while staying at a tourist hotel in Bali.
June 2007: Pearlman is apprehended
In June 2007, after attempting to evade capture for his role in a Ponzi scheme, Pearlman was apprehended in Bali, Indonesia.
June 27, 2007: Pearlman is indicted by a federal grand jury
On June 27, 2007, Pearlman was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and filing for false bankruptcy.
May 2008: Pearlman's request for a phone and internet denied
In May 2008, five days before his sentencing, Pearlman's request for a telephone and internet access to continue promoting bands was rejected by Federal Judge G. Kendall Sharp.
May 21, 2008: Pearlman is sentenced to 25 years
On May 21, 2008, Judge Sharp sentenced Pearlman to 25 years in prison. Pearlman was given the possibility of reducing his sentence by one month for every million dollars he helped recover for the bankruptcy trustee.
2008: Pearlman is convicted and sentenced
In 2008, Pearlman was convicted of conspiracy, money laundering, and making false statements during bankruptcy proceedings. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
2008: Pearlman Begins Prison Sentence
Lou Pearlman began his prison sentence in 2008 after being convicted of conspiracy and money laundering.
2009: "Boy Band Mogul" on American Greed
In 2009, an episode titled "Boy Band Mogul" aired on the television show American Greed, chronicling the rise and fall of Lou Pearlman.
2009: Rich Cronin's Allegations Against Lou Pearlman
In 2009, former LFO lead singer Rich Cronin alleged in an interview with Howard Stern that Pearlman had financially exploited the band and made unwanted sexual advances towards him.
2010: Pearlman Suffers Stroke in Prison
In 2010, while serving his prison sentence, Lou Pearlman suffered a stroke, further complicating his health conditions.
August 19, 2016: Lou Pearlman dies
On August 19, 2016, Lou Pearlman, an American talent manager, died.
August 29, 2016: Pearlman Laid to Rest
On August 29, 2016, ten days after his passing, Lou Pearlman was buried in the family burial area.
2016: Pearlman dies in federal custody
In 2016, Pearlman died in federal custody.
March 13, 2019: Premiere of "The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story"
Lance Bass, a member of NSYNC, produced a documentary titled "The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story," which premiered at SXSW on March 13, 2019.
April 2019: Release of "The Boy Band Con" on YouTube Premium
"The Boy Band Con: The Lou Pearlman Story" was made available for streaming on YouTube Premium in April 2019, reaching a wider audience interested in Pearlman's story.
December 13, 2019: Pearlman Featured on ABC's 20/20
On December 13, 2019, an episode of ABC's 20/20 titled "The Hitman: From Pop to Prison" delved into Lou Pearlman's life and career, further examining his controversial legacy.
March 24, 2029: Pearlman's Projected Release Date
March 24, 2029, marked the initial projected release date for Lou Pearlman from prison, where he was serving a sentence for conspiracy and money laundering.