Shortcut: The Hollywood Manager Who Stole Millions - ATC International

February 4, 2026·17 min·1 clip

Jonathan gambled daily for six years, with federal records showing calls to his bookie every single day.

This episode features an interview with Jonathan Todd Schwartz, a former Hollywood business manager who embezzled millions from his celebrity clients. Hosts Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb explore Schwartz's journey into the entertainment industry and the addiction that led to his crimes. Schwartz managed finances for major stars including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Linkin Park. Schwartz initially pursued accounting and was mentored by a cousin in entertainment business management after gaining experience at a San Francisco firm. His career accelerated when he began managing the band Linkin Park, which led to an A-list client roster. He describes living a double life from 2010 to 2016, driven by a severe gambling addiction. Schwartz first stole client money intending to repay it quickly, but his daily sports betting spiraled out of control. Federal phone records later showed he called his bookie every day for six years, betting on multiple games and complex wagers like parlays and teasers. He later developed a cocaine addiction, which he believes was a subconscious form of self-harm given his coronary artery disease. Schwartz experienced constant fear of discovery, insomnia, and suicidal ideation during this period. He manipulated bankers by fabricating stories when withdrawing large sums, such as claiming Alanis Morissette needed cash for studio time or animal-related projects. Morissette eventually transferred her business, and Schwartz's own cousin, his original mentor, discovered the financial discrepancies when reviewing her accounts. A key insight is Schwartz's admission that he wanted to be caught, yet felt unable to ask for help due to a perceived weakness. He emphasizes the distorted mindset of a gambler who believes a big win will solve everything. The episode reveals the private banking system's occasional lax oversight, as bankers hesitated to directly question celebrity clients about unusual transactions. Schwartz notes the profound irony and personal pain of being exposed by the very cousin who launched his career. The conversation is introspective and confessional, with Schwartz detailing his psychological state and rationalizations. The tone is educational yet personal, focusing on the mechanisms of addiction and fraud rather than sensationalizing the crime. Listeners hear a raw, first-person narrative of guilt, fear, and eventual accountability. This episode will appeal to those interested in white-collar crime, addiction psychology, and the hidden pressures of the entertainment industry. Listeners seeking a straightforward crime narrative or uncomfortable with discussions of addiction and suicide may find it less engaging.

As heard by us

A Hollywood money manager explains how gambling, cocaine, and secrecy turned trusted client money into ruin.

Australian True Crime sits down with Jonathan Todd Schwartz, the entertainment business manager who stole from clients after building a career around their trust. The names attached to that trust are startling: Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Linkin Park, Alanis Morissette.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Australian True Crime