https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mike-smith-sentence-18-months-music-streaming-fraud-1235636944/
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“In their sentencing submission, the prosecution highlighted the novelty of the streaming fraud case, as well as the $8 million in unearned royalties Smith earned.”
“Koeltl handed down the year-and-a-half prison sentence, which will be followed by two years of supervised release.”
“(Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET Networks) Bennett Raglin Mike Smith , the first person to face federal charges tied to music streaming fraud , was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty earlier this year.”
“Smith pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud back in March, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.”
“Some of Smith’s music industry peers even submitted letters on his behalf, including the Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA.”
“Smith, a musician and business owner from North Carolina, appeared at federal court in Manhattan Tuesday afternoon, Oct.”
“Account Welcome Manage Account Manage Print Account Sign Out Log In Courts and Crime Music Streaming Fraudster Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison Mike Smith, who pleaded guilty earlier this year, is the first person to face federal charges tied to artificially inflating streams of his music By Jon Blistein Jon Blistein Contact Jon Blistein by Email Music Streaming Fraudster Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison Justin Timberlake Is Finally Ready to Take Accountability for All of His Beatboxing Slayyyter Is Ready to Give ‘Wor$t Girl in America’ the ‘Brother’ Album it Deserves View all posts by Jon Blistein October 6, 2026 Add us as a Google Preferred Source NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 22: Mike Smith, judge on ONe Shot attends BET's ONE SHOT exclusive screening at Sky Lounge on August 22, 2016 in New York City.”
“I respectfully ask the Court to consider the person I have come to know through my own experience with Mike: someone who can contribute to his community, support others, and keep making responsible choices.” In this article: fraud, Mike Smith, music streaming, scam Music Music News More News Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff to Retell Origin Story With '215' Scripted Series Maxin', Relaxin' By Kory Grow The Beach Boys Cancel Yet Another Planned Comeback Concert Bad Vibrations By Andy Greene Actually, Going to Concerts Alone Is a Top-Tier Human Experience Commentary By Jeff Ihaza Watch Future Weld Together an Animatronic in ‘Build a Bitch’ Video 'To Be Continued' By Althea Legaspi Rolling Stone’s 2026 Musicians on Musicians Event Will Feature Don Toliver, Malcolm Todd, Alex Warren, and Megan Moroney Musicians on Musicians By Andy Greene Read more Eva Marie Saint, Oscar-Winning 'On the Waterfront' Actress, Dead at 102 Obituary 16 minutes ago Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff to Retell Origin Story With '215' Scripted Series Maxin', Relaxin' 42 minutes ago Watch Future Weld Together an Animatronic in ‘Build a Bitch’ Video 'To Be Continued' 2 hours ago Freddie Jackson, Soul Crooner Who Dominated R&B Charts, Dead at 70 Obituary 4 hours ago Top stories newsletter A Cultural Force That Transcends Generations Enter your Email By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .”
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“They released some music together; RZA served as a guest judge on One Shot , the rap reality competition Smith bankrolled and starred in; and in 2024, Smith and RZA both served as executive producers on a horror movie called Nyctophobia .”
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“In their sentencing submission, Smith’s lawyers said their client was “profoundly sorry” for his conduct, but claimed he “did not set out to commit a federal crime” and “believed his initial efforts to be lawful.” Editor’s picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century They said he spoke with a “well-known music attorney” and came to believe “his conduct began at a time when the legal parameters [around artificially inflated streams] were unsettled.” Nevertheless, they acknowledged, Smith “ended up rationalizing conduct that he knew was wrong,” like when he gave “false statements to distributors” who contacted him about possible streaming manipulation.”
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“While Smith, an aspiring musician, had a catalogue of his own music, he also allegedly generated additional royalties through bot-streams of AI-generated songs he purchased and uploaded.”
“Smith also previously agreed to forfeit $8 million as part of his plea deal.”
“When asked if he would like to say anything following his sentence, Smith told the judge, “Thank you for your consideration on everything, Your Honor.” The sentence was notably less than the 46 months in prison prosecutors had sought, though Smith’s lawyers had hoped to secure their client just probation.”