Sean Kingston appeared in a Fort Lauderdale, FL, federal courthouse on Friday alongside his mother, Janice Turner, to face serious fraud charges. The singer and his mother formally pleaded not guilty to accusations of running a $1 million wire fraud scheme, which federal prosecutors say involved false representations about payments for luxury items.
Following their plea, the duo wasted no time making their exit, with Kingston sprinting out of the courthouse and jumping into a black Cadillac Escalade. Meanwhile, Turner, who was previously convicted of bank fraud, made a scene by sticking a birdie at ABC Local 10 reporters before escaping in a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class sedan, the outlet said.
The charges stem from an indictment by a Miami federal grand jury, accusing Kingston and Turner of using fake bank wire transfers to unlawfully acquire high-end goods, including vehicles and jewelry. The indictment alleges that they “unjustly enriched themselves” through these fraudulent activities.
Both Kingston and his mom were arrested on May 23, with Kingston taken into custody during a trip to perform at the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California and Turner apprehended during a raid on the singer’s home in Southwest Ranches.
On top of the federal charges, Kingston and Turner are also facing a state case in Broward County. They’re being charged with conducting an organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and identity theft, following investigations by the U.S. Secret Service and the Broward Sheriff’s Office.
