Justin Timberlake has paid tribute to Lou Pearlman following his sudden death.
The 62-year-old producer and manager – who created several boybands including *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys and O-Town – passed away in prison on Friday (19.08.16) after battling an undisclosed illness and Justin took to Twitter to remember him.
He tweeted: "I hope he found some peace. God bless and RIP, Lou Pearlman (sic)."
The tribute is surprising as *NSYNC were just one of Lou’s clients who sued him for stealing millions from them.
Justin’s bandmate Lance Bass tweeted: "Word is that #LouPearlman has passed away. He might not have been a stand up businessman, but I wouldn’t be doing what I love today w/out his influence. RIP Lou (sic).
Former O-Town singer Ashley Parker Angel also took to Twitter, to write: "Love him or hate him, Lou gave many of us our start. It’s a shame he let greed get in his way. #RIP #LouPearlman (sic)."
Aaron Carter added: "#LouPearlman my old manager died in prison… Rip Lou not the best business guy really at all but he did discover me karma is real (sic)."
In 2006 Pearlman was accused of being behind one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in US history, in which up to 1,700 investors were defrauded out of at least $300 million.
He fled to Indonesia but was captured by authorities in 2007 and convicted the following year after pleading guilty to charges of money laundering, conspiracy and fraud.
Pearlman was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with the condition that one month would be taken off his sentence for every million he paid back.
PEOPLE reports, he never paid any of the money.
He suffered a stroke in 2010 and has had health problems since then.
Justin Timberlake’s tribute to Lou Pearlman
