Northwest Musician Pleads Guilty To Music Fraud

The Seattle Times reported that Kasey Anderson pleaded guilty Wednesday to wire fraud for taking the money from more than 30 investors. A statement from the U.S. attorney’s office says the alt-country guitarist has repaid more than $160,000 so far.

Anderson, of Vancouver, leads the group Kasey Anderson & The Honkies. They were featured at Bumbershoot in 2011.

He faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 when he is sentenced Nov. 22 by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton in Tacoma.

Anderson has admitted to taking the money from the investors between 2009 and 2011 for several projects, including a charity album. He claimed the album would feature songs by Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Lady Gaga.

Anderson met some of the investors after they had helped him pay for a 2009 European tour with the Honkies. According to the plea agreement, Anderson created fake email accounts for prominent music industry members and sent emails from those accounts to investors.