Sean Kingston’s dreams of a big splash on stage this summer just got iced by a federal judge. The “Beautiful Girls” hitmaker, once the darling of sun-dappled pop summer playlists, will be rocking out from the middle of the sunshine state rather than the middle of the road at Milwaukee’s famed Summerfest after a push to get him out of Florida for the one-night event was shot down in court.
The 34-year-old artist had sought permission to travel for the concert, claiming he had been left financially destitute after months of strict home detention. But Judge David Leibowitz wasn’t having it and didn’t even explain why. Im gonna miss flying very high and very fast through July and August.
Kingston, whose legal name is Kisean Paul Anderson, is facing sentencing after being found guilty of six federal counts related to a luxury goods fraud conspiracy. With his mother, Janice Turner, Kingston was convicted of employing sham wire transfers and phony paperwork to walk off with more than $1 million of high-end fare, the whole kit and caboodle, from gold-dipped jewelry and luxury rides to electronic tchotchkes and, yes, even mattresses.
Prosecutors said the scam hinged extensively on Kingston’s star name. Retailers were reportedly conned into shipping goods because of his notoriety and glitzy image, assuming payment would arrive afterward. It never did.
His lawyers also attempted to turn the Summerfest gig into a golden opportunity, not just a chance to reconnect with fans but also to earn some honest money. They added that it wasn’t the typical nightclub hustle but an actual music festival booking. They say Kingston has been playing by the rules, his G.P.S. ankle monitor, check-ins, and good behavior in compliance with the terms of his bond. He offered to provide a play-by-play itinerary and be in close touch with his probation officer.
Instead of brightening up a festival audience, Kingston will be spending the summer indoors, waiting until his August 15 sentencing. Each fraud charge he faces is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, making this a pivotal and deeply uncertain chapter in the singer’s life.
It’s a sobering turn for a performer who came up bringing tropical vibes to radios worldwide. And as much as his voice is not projected from Summerfest’s big stage this summer, the real show comes next in a federal courtroom.
This summer, Sean Kingston won’t get to make a comeback tour or give encores in front of audience members who are also his fans. It’s being made to face the music in a very different way.
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