Self-described “crypto King” Aiden Pleterski has lost his bid for an adjournment and will have to represent himself when his four-week fraud trial opens on Monday.
Ontario Superior Court Justice Shaun Nakatsuru delivered his reasons in court Friday as to why he denied Pleterski’s request earlier in the week. He reminded him that the dates had been set in June 2025 and the trial was slated to go ahead “with or without” counsel.
Pleterski had wanted to delay the trial while he continues his last-minutes efforts to raise money to pay for a lawyer.
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The 27-year-old was charged with fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime in May 2024 by Durham Regional Police.
Investigators told the media at the time that the “size of the alleged fraud was massive and spanned across multiple jurisdictions.”
Pleterski has denied the allegations.
If convicted, he faces a maximum 14 years in prison.
mmandel@postmeda.com