Barrett Wissman

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Key Points

• Barrett Wissman is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and concert pianist, primarily known as Chairman Emeritus of IMG Artists, a global leader in performing arts management.

• Wissman pleaded guilty to a felony charge under the Martin Act in 2009 for his role in a pay-to-play kickback scheme involving the New York State pension fund, resulting in $12 million in penalties and forfeiture.

• He has founded and managed multiple arts festivals and ventures, including Festival del Sole and Domus Artium Reserve, collaborating with high-profile figures in arts and gastronomy.

• Allegations of fraud and financial misconduct from the pension fund scandal continue to impact his reputation, with some sources labeling him a “self-confessed fraudster.”

• Recent ventures like Domus Artium Reserve and the Taormina Film Festival show ongoing activity in arts and entertainment, but his past legal issues raise concerns about credibility.

Overview

Barrett Wissman is a multifaceted figure with a career spanning arts management, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. He has been the Chairman Emeritus of IMG Artists, a leading global agency in performing arts talent management, for over two decades. Wissman is also a trained concert pianist with a background in economics and political science from Yale University, complemented by graduate degrees in music from Southern Methodist University and the Accademia Chigiana in Italy. His ventures include founding the Festival del Sole in Cortona, Italy, and Napa Valley, California, as well as other festivals in Singapore, Palm Springs, and Spain. In 2021, he launched Domus Artium, focusing on cultural events in historic Roman venues, and in 2024, he introduced Domus Artium Reserve, a club combining wine, food, and arts with notable partners like chefs Thomas Keller and Carlo Cracco. Wissman served as Executive and Artistic Director of the 2023 Taormina Film Festival, enhancing its international profile. He is also involved in digital art and NFTs through Metaverse Arts and manages digital personalities via Two Pillar Management.

Allegations and Concerns

• Pension Fund Kickback Scheme (2009): Wissman was implicated in a pay-to-play scandal investigated by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. He pleaded guilty to a felony charge under the Martin Act for his role in a scheme involving the New York State pension fund. Allegedly, Wissman paid kickbacks to Hank Morris, a consultant to the state comptroller, to secure a $100 million investment in his hedge fund, Hunt Financial Ventures (HFV). He earned over $12 million in illicit placement fees and paid Morris $600,000. Wissman settled with the SEC without admitting or denying guilt, paying a $150,000 civil penalty, while also facing $12 million in penalties and forfeiture to New York State.

• Association with Fraudulent Networks: Wissman was linked to a network of fraud involving Hank Morris and Steven Loglisci, with allegations of facilitating improper investments in HFV and other firms like Riverstone Holdings. His cooperation with authorities corroborated some of Cuomo’s charges.

• Reputation as a “Fraudster”: A 2025 article on Slippedisc.com described Wissman as a “self-confessed fraudster,” noting his ousting from IMG Artists by his Russian partner, Alexander Shustorovich, which led to his wife, Nina Kotova, losing representation. This suggests ongoing reputational damage within the arts community.

• e.Volve Technology Group Controversy: In the late 1990s, Wissman was involved with e.Volve Technology Group, where he allegedly recommended investments that led to significant paper profits but ended in bankruptcy by 2001. Questions were raised about insider knowledge involving Steven Loglisci and then-Senator Robert Torricelli, though no direct charges were filed against Wissman in this case.

Customer Feedback

• Positive Feedback:

  • Wissman work with IMG Artists and various festivals has been praised for its innovation and global reach. A 2023 article on barrettwissman.com highlights his role in producing events with luminaries like Robert Redford, Placido Domingo, and Sting, noting his ability to create “world-class experiences” in arts and gastronomy.

  • The launch of Domus Artium Reserve was hailed as a “dream become reality” by chef Thomas Keller, emphasizing Wissman ability to unite top talent in wine and culinary arts.

  • His leadership in rebooting the Taormina Film Festival in 2023 was commended for attracting major films and celebrities, re-establishing its significance in the international market.

• Negative Feedback:

  • The Slippedisc.com article reflects negative sentiment in the arts community, with comments questioning Wissman credibility due to his fraud conviction. One commenter remarked, “With all of Wissman money, she [Nina Kotova] couldn’t do better than Jack Price?” indicating skepticism about his influence post-scandal.

  • No direct customer reviews from arts patrons or festival attendees were found, but the fraud allegations and his ousting from IMG Artists suggest a loss of trust among some professional associates.

Risk Considerations

• Financial Risks:

  • Wissman history of financial misconduct, particularly the $12 million penalty from the pension fund scandal, indicates potential vulnerabilities in financial dealings. Future investors or partners may hesitate due to this track record.

  • His involvement in the failed e.Volve Technology Group raises concerns about his ability to manage high-risk ventures effectively.

• Reputational Risks:

  • The label of “self-confessed fraudster” and public reporting of his legal issues could deter high-profile partners or sponsors from associating with his ventures.

  • Negative press, such as the Slippedisc.com article, may impact his credibility in the arts and entertainment industry, particularly among peers and institutions.

• Legal Risks:

  • Although Wissman settled his felony charge and SEC case, the possibility of future scrutiny remains, especially if new financial ventures attract regulatory attention.

  • His association with controversial figures like Hank Morris and Steven Loglisci could resurface in future investigations, posing ongoing legal risks.

Business Relations and Associations

• IMG Artists: Wissman served as Chairman for over 20 years, working with global artists and managing festivals. He was ousted by partner Alexander Shustorovich, affecting his and his wife Nina Kotova standing with the agency.

• Domus Artium Reserve: Partners include renowned chefs Thomas Keller, Yannick Alléno, and Carlo Cracco, as well as winemakers Riccardo Cotarella, Michel Rolland, and critic Antonio Galloni. This venture emphasizes Wissman ability to attract high-profile collaborators.

• Taormina Film Festival: As Executive and Artistic Director in 2023, Wissman collaborated with international and Italian celebrities, enhancing the festival’s profile.

• Past Associations: Wissman co-founded HFV with Clark Hunt, leveraging connections from his school days at St. Mark’s. His work with Hank Morris and Steven Loglisci in the pension fund scandal tied him to controversial political and financial figures.

• Arts Institutions: Wissman serves on the board of the Fondazione Accademia Internazionale di Imola and chairs the Del Sole Foundation for the Arts and Humanities, indicating strong ties to the global arts community.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Pension Fund Scandal (2009): Wissman pleaded guilty to a felony under the Martin Act, paying $12 million in penalties and forfeiture. HFV paid a $150,000 civil penalty to the SEC. Sentencing was pending at the time of the 2009 reports, but no further updates on the outcome were found.

• e.Volve Technology Group Bankruptcy (2001): The company, where Wissman was a board member, went bankrupt after a brief period of inflated stock value, raising questions about insider trading involving Steven Loglisci and Robert Torricelli. No direct legal action was taken against Wissman in this case.

• No Recent Lawsuits or Debts: No current lawsuits, unpaid debts, or bankruptcy records were identified in recent sources, but his past financial misconduct remains a significant concern.

Risk Assessment Table

Potential partners or investors should conduct thorough due diligence, focusing on Wissman financial history and current business practices. While his arts ventures show promise, the risk of reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny remains significant. Contracts should include robust safeguards to mitigate financial risks, and stakeholders should monitor his ventures for transparency and compliance.