Pearlman Sentenced: A Mogul’s Fall From Grace

In an interview after the hearing, the judge also made it clear that Pearlman, the 53-year-old creator of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync, has done little to help recover any money.

"He hasn't divulged one cent to the government as far as I know," Sharp told the Orlando Sentinel. "If it's going to happen, that incentive will make it happen. Otherwise, he'll just wait it out in prison and spend it at age 78."

Sharp made the unusual offer during a 47-minute hearing punctuated with emotion, gasps and applause from angry investors seeking justice -- and the maximum term allowed.

"The emotional part will go on forever," postal worker Marie Weber told the court, saying that she and her husband are forced to work two jobs each to make up for $606,000 in retirement savings lost to Pearlman. "We have been robbed by this man of everything we have."