Hip Hop’s trials this year are unprecedented. A$AP Rocky was acquitted and the Kai Sheep Flock was subjected to several guilty verdicts. While this isn’t the best look for a rapper, at least their case is closer after the jury meets a jury. Sean Kingston spent the day in court with his mother this week. Their federal telegraph fraud trial began with some drama.
Sean Kingston brings Bible to court, while mother asks new lawyers to be on trial
Sean Kingston, 35, and his mother, 61, were tried Tuesday (March 25) in the Broward County Federal Court the next day. NBC Miami reports that the hip-hop artist’s mother demanded a change in her lawyers because she couldn’t get along with her former lawyers. While there is no more details about the problems that cause friction, it is in the best interest of the family to have someone represent them without adding more problems. It seems that Kingston is relying on his beliefs in the face of the serious legal struggle in the future. He went to court and left the building with the Bible in his hand.
On Monday (March 24), the jury selection began with 45 prospective jurors, narrowing to 12, with another replacement. The jury consisted of nine women and four men. They will hear statements of prosecution and defense as they accused Kingston and Turner of charges against Kingston and Turner last year and filed a six-volume federal lawsuit last year. The charges include one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud.
Last year, the mother and son team was accused of committing fraud and theft worth more than $1 million by using fake files to access luxury goods, among others. They were both arrested in an independent city after they were arrested in many of the same expensive items at their home in Kingston last May.
Witnesses claimed in court today that Kingston and Turner allegedly gave them fake wire transfers with funds sent to them and never really got the money they promised. Kingston and Turner rely on fake paperwork as a way to defraud businesses of luxury lifestyles that are obviously unaffordable.
Kingston seems to use his celebrities to attract people to give him expensive things like jewelry, cars and furniture. Ver Entertainment Llc. Owner Ariel Mateos sold the singer’s huge 232-inch TV worth $115,000. He claimed in court that he received a $30,000 down payment after installing the TV in a Florida home in Kingston, but the remaining balance was never paid. Only fake wire transfer receipts were provided, which led to months of chasing what was called arrears.
A car salesman, also a car salesman, said he received fake wire transfer paperwork when Kingston tried to use the vehicle, while a watch dealer claimed he received thousands of dollars due to a fraudulent plan.
Outside the court today, Kingston thanked his fans: “All my fans who support me, I love you guys.”
Last May, attorney Dennis Carr filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mateos, revealing how once-popular artists deceived people.
“He basically had a script,” Carl said outside his home in Kingston the day of the attack. “He said he worked with Justin Bieber, and he obviously had a big show here. It was a rental house. He didn’t own it, and he attracted people to use his celebrities to let them free things without paying for it, and he didn’t pay at all.
Sean Kingston and Janice Turner pleaded not guilty to allegations of deceiving multiple businesses. If convicted, they face 20 years in prison.
XXL has contacted a representative from Sean Kingston.
Read more: Sean Kingston and his mother sued $1 million for wire fraud charges
Check out what Sean Kingston must say outside the court below.
