Alanis Morissette's former business partner Jonathan Schwartz has admitted to stealing nearly $5 million from the artist, and has subsequently been charged with fraud. He reportedly managed the Canadian singer's finances from 2009 to 2016.According to The Hollywood Reporter, his duties included "collecting income, managing investment accounts and paying bills on her behalf."
Jonathan Schwartz admitted to embezzling more than $5 million from the singer
The You Outta Know artist flagged issues with her accounts in early 2016 after her new business manager, Howard Grossman, noticed something was amiss. She subsequently fired Jonathan and sued him for more than $15 million in damages. Her complaint alleged Jonathan's company had "concealed distributions from Morissette, convincing her that she was in tremendous financial shape when, in fact, they were draining her assets and leading her on a road that could have led to financial ruin." Many of the funds Jonathan redirected from Alanis were allegedly used to fund illegal marijuana businesses.
Alanis has yet to comment on the admission of guilt
Whenever the Ironic singer pressed him about what was happening with her accounts, Jonathan pretended everything was OK. "When she asked him if she was over budget, he would insist that things were 'fine,' that she had 'nothing to worry about,' and that she and her future grandkids were 'set for life,'" her complaint alleged. "His reasoning was always that she didn't need to work so hard, because she was so financially secure."
According to the BBC, Jonathan will again appear in court on Feb. 1. Alanis and her team have yet to comment on the hearings or charges. The only statement she has made happened shortly after she launched her lawsuit. "When I fired Jonathan Schwartz and GSO two months ago, I had no idea the extent of the misconduct," Alanis said in a statement.
