Witnesses Testify In Sean Kingston Wire Fraud Trial
Day two of Sean Kingston’s wire fraud trial included testimonies from witnesses who allegedly did business with the vocalist and his mother, Janice Turner. The mother and son are accused of defrauding multiple businesses of more than $1 million.
On Tuesday, March 26, several witnesses spoke in Broward County federal court, where Kingston, born Kisean Anderson, and Turner face five counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to Miami news outlet Local 10, Ariel Mateos, owner of Ver Ver Entertainment LLC., testified, claiming to have installed a 232-inch television worth $115,000 in Kingston’s home. After receiving a $30,000 deposit, Mateos communicated with Kingston for months via text and alleged that he was sent fake wire transfer receipts, along with not receiving the final balance.
The defense alleged Kingston agreed to promote Mateos' business on social media, showing pictures of him and the Jamaican-American vocalist in court. But Mateos denied the claim, explaining that he retrieved the damaged television when Kingston was issued a warrant.
Mateos’ lawyer, Dennis Carr, also alleged that the “Me Love” stuck to a “script” as part of his alleged scheme. “He says that he works with Justin Bieber and that he obviously puts on a big show here,” Carr said. “This is a rental house. He doesn’t own it, and he lures people using his celebrity into having them release things without him paying for it and he simply never pays.”
In addition to accusations of illegally obtaining jewelry worth $480,000, a car dealer alleged that Kingston fraudulently obtained a Cadillac Escalade, valued at $159,701.49. Kingston and his mother, whose home was raided by SWAT last May, could spend up to 20 years in jail for alleged defrauding. Both have pleaded not guilty.