Pearlman sentenced to 25 years in prison

ORLANDO, Fla., May 21 (UPI) -- Former music mogul Lou Pearlman has been sentenced in a Florida court to 25 years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy, TMZ.com said Wednesday.

Pearlman, who helped create the boy bands Backstreet Boys and 'NSYNC, pleaded guilty in March to fleecing investors and banks out of millions of dollars over a period of 25 years.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy, one count of money laundering and one count of making a false claim in a bankruptcy.

TMZ.com said the judge who sentenced him gave him the maximum sentence.