Jamaican-American singer and rapper Sean Kingston will have to wait a bit longer to learn his fate in a $1 million fraud case after a judge granted his request for more time to secure legal representation.
Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, was scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, but appeared in court without an attorney and asked for a delay to find new counsel. The judge agreed, rescheduling his sentencing for August 28.
Kingston also spoke on behalf of his mother, Janice Turner, who was convicted alongside him, requesting additional time for her to obtain legal representation as well. Her hearing is now set for July 31. A status hearing for Kingston, originally set for the same day, was canceled to allow him time to secure a lawyer.
Kingston and Turner were found guilty in March in Broward County on all counts of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Prosecutors said the two—along with others—defrauded several businesses, including a jeweler, luxury furniture company, high-end car dealership, and a firm that installs entertainment systems. They allegedly used fake wire transfers and other fraudulent documents to obtain more than $1 million in goods and services without paying.
A Fort Lauderdale jeweler testified during trial that he lost his job and reputation after the duo provided a false wire transfer for a $285,000 Audemars Piguet perpetual calendar watch. Turner took the stand and admitted to sending fake payments from her bank account, saying she was trying to protect her son from being taken advantage of.
Turner, who was described by the federal judge as “the fixer, the nerve center” of the fraud operation, was immediately taken into custody following the guilty verdict on March 28. Sean Kingston, who had been on home detention pending sentencing, was later detained after failing to meet bond requirements.
Both now await their sentencing as the case moves into its final stages.
