Friday, October 9, 2026

Music Producer Indicted For Stealing Client Funds Pled Guilty Asks 81 Days to Surrender



Music Producer Indicted For Stealing Client Funds Pled Guilty Asks 81 Days to Surrender

by Matthew Russell Lee

SDNY COURTHOUSE, Sept 29 รข€“ A music producer charged with fraud and theft was presented on April 17 before U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Magistrate Judge Katharine H. Parker. Inner City Press was there, the only media in the SDNY Mag Court, threadette:

OK - now at presentment of an allegedly fraudulent music promoter Sean Welch, arrested at JFK airport. Indictment refers to musical artist as "Victim-1."  

It says that in 2018, Welch took $229,900 from Victim-1's accounts "in excess of the fee to which Welch was entitled." In 2019 and 2020, he is said in the Complaint to have drained Victim-2's accounts. Then Victim-3, for $293,968. 

Welch has Federal Defenders for today; it's said he'll seek to retain his own counsel.

Judge: Does the government seek detention? AUSA: The parties have agreed on release on $50,000 bond, no contact with victims.  Welch is in a jean jacket. And we are adjourned

On July 12, 2024, the US Attorney's Office wrote in asking to delay a July 16 conference until August 27 to allow "the parties an opportunity to discuss the possibility of a pretrial resolution of this case," among other reasons.

On May 12, after Welch pled guilty, his Federal Defender wrote in asking for no prison time.

On May 19 the US Attorney's Office wrote in saying that a Fatico hearing will be needed as defendant objects to more than $1 million in restitution and forfeiture.

On June 26 the US Attorney's Office made its filing for the July 9 Fatico hearing, noting that Welch object to the inclusion of three redacted individuals as victims. The US insisted on Victims 1 and 2, a loss amount of $974,522.72 and a sentencing range of 30 to 37 months.

On July 2 Federal Defenders replies, noting that the first [REDACTED] victim "passed away in 2019 and so isn't here to provide accurate details of all his agreements."

Jump cut to September 29 when Welch's Federal Defender wrote in asking for an 81 day extension to surrender for eight month sentence, to December 26. Both the prosecutors and pre-trial services oppose the request.

 The case is USA v. Welch, 1:24-cr-79 (Carter)

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