Singer Sean Kingston and his mother, Janice Turner, have been indicted on charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with a potential penalty of up to $1 million. The pair made their first court appearance on Friday, facing allegations of defrauding a jewelry store in Los Angeles.
According to the indictment, Kingston and Turner conspired to purchase jewelry from a store using fraudulent credit cards and then resell the items for a profit. The scheme allegedly took place between September 2018 and February 2019, with the total amount of fraudulent purchases reaching over $300,000.
The indictment also states that Kingston and Turner used aliases and false identities to make the purchases, and that they would often return the items for cash refunds. The pair is accused of using the money to fund their lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars and private jets.
Kingston, whose real name is Kisean Anderson, rose to fame in 2007 with his hit single “Beautiful Girls.” He has since released several successful albums and collaborated with artists such as Justin Bieber and Chris Brown. Turner has been a constant presence in her son’s career, often managing his business affairs.
The charges against Kingston and Turner come after a lengthy investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service. If convicted, they could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and conspiracy.
Both Kingston and Turner have denied the allegations and maintain their innocence. Their lawyer, Michelle Iarusso, stated that they are “confident that when all the facts are brought to light, they will be vindicated.”
The case is ongoing, and the next court date is set for September 27th. In the meantime, Kingston and Turner have been released on bond and are required to surrender their passports.
