Latest news with #BeautifulGirls'
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
'Beautiful Girls' singer sentenced to 3.5 years in prison
US rapper Sean Kingston has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in federal prison for fraud. The 'Beautiful Girls' singer and his mother were convicted earlier this year for participating in a million-dollar wire fraud scheme. They stole luxury items including watches, a 232-inch LED TV, a bulletproof Cadillac Escalade and furniture, exceeding $1m (€850,000). Kingston has been sentenced to 3.5 years in prison. Pic: Thaddaeus McAdams / Getty Images Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Anderson, and his mother used the rapper's celebrity status to lure victims into giving them products and when payment was due, they would send them fake wire receipts. According to US media, Kingston apologised to the court before being sentenced and said he'd learned from his actions. His mother, Janice Turner, was sentenced in July to five years in prison. His mother was also convicted. Pic: Alexandra Wyman/AMA2012/FilmMagic Kingston was arrested in California last year, where he was set to perform at an Army training base in the Mojave Desert. His arrest occurred after authorities raided his home near Fort Lauderdale in Florida, where his mother was taken into custody. According to federal prosecutors, the rapper reached out to victims on social media, saying he wanted to purchase luxury goods and then invited them to his various homes in Florida. The prosecutors said that he promised these victims that he would post their products on his social media and sometimes offered to refer their products to other 'high profile celebrities'. They added that when payment was due, Kingston or his mother would send them fake wire receipts that falsely showed they'd sent over the money. Authorities also said most victims were never paid, though several did receive payment after law enforcement got involved or lawsuits were filed. According to CBS, text messages between the pair were shown at the trial and they were evidence of Kingston and his mother discussing the fake payment receipts. The singer wrote: 'I told you to make (a) fake receipt.' Kingston's lawyer Zeljka Bozanic said the singer was 'a soft guy who grew up poor when he rose to fame overnight'. He added that the rapper still had the mentality of a teenager and didn't know how to run his bank accounts or business.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Eenie Meenie' singer Sean Kingston gets sentenced for 3.5 years for fraud scheme
Sean Kingston, the 'Eenie Meenie' singer, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after being convicted of a $1 million fraud scheme, where he exploited his fame to dupe sellers into giving him luxury items that he never paid for. Sean Kingston gets arrested following his mother Earlier this year, the 35-year-old musician was convicted along with his mother, Janice Turner, on account of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and on four counts of committing wire fraud. Stealing luxury items, including watches, a television set, and furniture, the crime exceeded USD 1 million, according to the BBC. Moreover, the mother-son duo would send fake receipts to the victims when the payment was due. Turner was sentenced last month to five years after being convicted of all charges following the five-day trial in March. Meanwhile, Kingston apologized to the U.S. Judge David Leibowitz before he was sentenced in the South Florida courtroom on Friday, 15 August. Citing that he has learned from his actions, the singer's attorney requested that Kingston self-surrender on the later date. However, the judge denied his request, and the singer in handcuffs was led from the courtroom, according to AP. About Sean Kingston and his fraudulent receipts Sean Kingston, born Kisean Paul Anderson, was arrested in 2024 in California, where he was set to perform at an Army training base in the Mojave Desert. The Federal Prosecutors claimed that the 'Beautiful Girls' singer used to reach out to the victims on social media, proclaiming that he wanted to purchase the luxury goods from them and inviting them to his home. Promising to post the items on social media, Kingston also offered to champion the products to other high-profile celebrities. The key evidence used by the Prosecutors was a text message he sent to his mother as they were discussing creating fake receipts. 'I told you to make [a] fake receipt," he wrote in one, according to CBS. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Sean Kingston is sentenced to 3½ years in prison after mom got 5 years for fraud scheme
'Beautiful Girls' hitmaker Sean Kingston will spend three and a half years behind bars for his involvement in a months-long scheme that defrauded luxury goods businesses of more than $1 million. U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz handed down the 35-year-old performer's sentence Friday, months after a Florida jury convicted the singer (born Kisean Paul Anderson) and his mother, Janice Turner, in March on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud each. 'We respect the Court's decision and the judicial process,' Kingston attorney Zeljka Bozanic told The Times in a statement. Bozanic said Kingston's defense team is 'content' the court opted for a shorter prison sentence — the government had requested five years in prison — and said 'most of the restitution in this case was paid back, even before these charges were brought.' 'Sean is taking this as a learning experience and will continue moving forward in a positive direction,' Bozanic added. 'We are actively reviewing all available options, including potential appeals, to ensure his rights are fully protected.' During his court appearance in a South Florida courtroom Friday, Kingston apologized to the judge and said he had learned from his actions. Under house arrest since his conviction, Kingston was taken into custody immediately despite a defense attorney's request that Kingston self-surrender at a later date due to health issues. Prior to the sentencing, Bozanic filed a sentencing memorandum requesting that the court consider a shorter sentence. 'Mr. Anderson accepted responsibility in this case and has made all the positive steps toward learning and growing from this situation,' Bozanic said in the memorandum, which also describes the singer's previous charitable acts. The document notes that Kingston has 'never served prison time before' and that a 'high sentence is not necessary to deter future conduct.' Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida accused Kingston and his mother of swindling more than $480,000 worth of jewelry from one person and, from others, a Cadillac Escalade worth nearly $160,000 and furniture costing upward of $86,500. Prosecutors said Kingston and his mother also stole more than $200,000 from Bank of America and more than $100,000 from First Republic Bank — allegations they initially denied. SWAT officers descended on the 'Take You There' singer's Florida home last May. His mother was arrested during the raid and Kingston was arrested soon after near the Fort Irwin Army base in San Bernardino County. Turner was sentenced to five years in prison last month. Kingston rose to popularity in the early 2000s for 'Beautiful Girls,' which samples Ben E. King's 'Stand By Me.' He is also known for the songs 'Eenie Meenie,' 'Fire Burning' and 'Me Love.' Times editorial library director Cary Schneider and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Sean Kingston sentenced to 3.5 years for $1 million luxury item fraud
Rapper Sean Kingston was sentenced to three and a half years in prison on Friday for a $1 million fraud scheme. Kingston's real name is Kisean Paul Anderson, and his mother, Janice Eleanor Turner, was also convicted. Turner was sentenced to five years last month. Both were convicted in March by a federal jury for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud. Before going to jail, Kingston apologized in court and said he had learned from his mistakes. His lawyer asked if he could go to jail later because of health problems, but the judge ordered he must go right away. Kingston wore a black suit and white shirt, took off his jacket, and was handcuffed and taken out of the courtroom, The Associated Press reported. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton said Kingston was addicted to his celebrity lifestyle even though he couldn't afford it. Anton also said Kingston bullied victims to get luxury items and then refused to pay. Anton called Kingston a 'thief and a conman, plain and simple'. Kingston's attorney Zeljka Bozanic said he thinks like a teenager, relying on his mother and managers for said Kingston had almost no knowledge of his finances and spent money on superficial things. Bozanic said Kingston has already started paying back victims and plans to repay fully once free. Judge David Leibowitz said Kingston was not unintelligent or naive, but gave him credit for accepting responsibility and not lying in court, as mentioned in the report by The Associated Press. ALSO READ: Atlanta rapper T-Hood killed in Gwinnett county shooting after domestic dispute The judge said Kingston's mother obstructed justice in her testimony. Kingston and his mother were arrested in May 2024 after a SWAT raid on Kingston's mansion in Fort Lauderdale. Turner was arrested during the raid, and Kingston was arrested at Fort Irwin Army base in California where he was performing, as per reports. Court records show Kingston used social media from April 2023 to March 2024 to arrange luxury purchases. He would invite sellers to his high-end Florida homes and promise social media promotion of their products. When it was time to pay, Kingston or his mother sent fake wire receipts for items like a bulletproof Escalade, watches, and a 19-foot LED TV. Victims often contacted Kingston and Turner repeatedly, but rarely got paid unless they filed lawsuits or involved law enforcement. Kingston was born in Florida and raised in Jamaica, and became famous at age 17 with 'Beautiful Girls' in 2007. His other hits include 'Take You There' (2007) and 'Fire Burning' (2009), reported by The Associated Press. Q1. Why was Sean Kingston sent to prison? Sean Kingston was sentenced for a $1 million fraud scheme where he tricked sellers into giving him luxury items without paying. Q2. How long is Sean Kingston's prison sentence? He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison, while his mother received five years.
Time of India
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jeon Somi breaks down her new EP ‘Chaotic and Confused': Reveals how she wants to 'break free' from the trades of the industry
Pop superstar Jeon Somi is making waves with the release of her highly anticipated second EP, 'Chaotic and Confused'. Dropping today, the new album sees the artist delve into her personal struggles and inspirations. In a candid new interview, Somi opened up about the emotional journey behind the EP, revealing her desire to "break free" from the rigid confines of the music industry and express her true self through her art. Hear what she said. Jeon Somi on her latest EP 'Chaotic and Confused' Jeon Somi, according to reports from The Korea Times, sat down for a quick interview to talk about her new music. She delved into all of the track's inspiration and how she worked on them. While talking about her song 'Closer', she shared that it has been sampled directly from the hit song 'Beautiful Girls' by Sean Kingston, which was released in 2007. While talking about the song, she revealed that, 'I chose the song because it was so good. I worked hard to put my style into it while keeping its originality, and I'm satisfied with the result'. While also talking about the album as a whole, the star shared that it represents how she wants to break away from the tricks she learned in the industry, i.e. how to present herself in front of everyone, as well as how to speak during interviews. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thon An Loc Ha: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'I knew those things, but I didn't want to do them anymore. Being too careful made me feel like there was a limit to what I could express. I wanted to be more daring within my boundaries', she added on. Challenges faced as a '24-year-old veteran' The idol has been active in the industry for almost 10 years now; however, she is only 24 years old. Somi delved into how this sometimes becomes a major challenge for her. She emphasised this by saying that while she has a lot of experience in how the industry works, her lack of experience as a human being sometimes creates hindrances for her. In her ending statement, the idol shared that she wants to create music that represents what she is feeling in her life at the time. She shared, 'After going through my own confusion and gaining conviction, I want to continue being a singer for a long time. I want to deliver messages that fit the particular time in my life'.
