Audio By Carbonatix
Rapper and singer Sean Kingston and his mother have been indicted in South Florida on federal charges of committing more than $1 million worth of fraud.
Kingston, 34, and his mother, 61-year-old Janice Turner, made their first appearances Friday in federal court, according to court records. A Miami grand jury returned an indictment earlier this month accusing Kingston and his mother of participating in a scheme to defraud victims of high-end specialty vehicles, jewelry and other goods through the use of fraudulent documents.
Kingston was booked into the Broward County jail on similar state charges last month following a May 23 arrest at Fort Irwin, an Army training base in California’s Mojave Desert where he was performing. Turner was arrested the same day as her son, when a SWAT team raided his rented mansion in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
According to the federal indictment, Kingston and Turner falsely claimed that they had executed bank wire or other monetary payment transfers for high-end items when no such transfers had taken place. Investigators said Kingston and Turner then kept over $1 million worth of fraudulently purchased items despite not paying for them.
The warrants for the state charges say that from October to March, they stole almost $500,000 in jewelry, more than $200,000 from Bank of America, $160,000 from a Cadilac Escalade dealer, more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank and $86,000 from the maker of customized beds.
The Jamaican American performer had a No. 1 hit with “Beautiful Girls” in 2007 and collaborated with Justin Bieber on the song “Eenie Meenie.”
Robert Rosenblatt, an attorney for Kingston and his mother, didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment from The Associated Press. He previously said they looked forward to addressing the charges and were “confident of a successful resolution.”
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, was already serving a two-year probation sentence for trafficking stolen property.
His mother pleaded guilty in 2006 to bank fraud for stealing over $160,000 and served nearly 1.5 years in prison, according to federal court records.
Latest Stories
-
Fitch Solutions maintains its policy rate forecast of 14% by December 2026
4 minutes -
Diaspora Nasara Caucus congratulates Mohammed Ali Suraj, new NPP executives
2 hours -
Dr Antwi-Boasiako’s cybersecurity book showcased at UN crime prevention congress
2 hours -
We will empower the grassroots and protect every vote – NPP’s 1st Vice Chair Kojo Bamba
2 hours -
I do not see myself as better than anyone – NPP’s 1st Vice Chair Kojo Bamba
2 hours -
Police blur the line between invitations and arrests – Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah
3 hours -
Turning invitations into arrests is making citizens reluctant to assist police – Twumasi Ankrah
4 hours -
The Traffitech-GH SMS spot-fine system: The good, the sad, and the funny – Bright Simons writes
4 hours -
Hawa Koomson pledges experienced and mature leadership of NPP women’s wing
5 hours -
Young woman found dead at Kasoa Peace Town
5 hours -
Playback: The Law examined lawful arrest in Ghana
6 hours -
Mahama urges African governments to treat healthcare as an investment, not budget cost
6 hours -
Bawumia congratulates John Boadu and new NPP executives, pledges support ahead of 2028
6 hours -
Aksa Energy delegation pays courtesy call on GRA Commissioner-General
6 hours -
‘No talent should be left out’ – Bawumia pledges inclusive NPP campaign for 2028
6 hours