See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
The arrogance of the fallen self-proclaimed “Crypto King” knows no bounds.
Free on bail, Durham Region’s Aiden Pleterski was supposed to be in the downtown Toronto courtroom by 9 a.m. on Tuesday for an update on his case — he goes to trial before a judge and jury on Oct. 5 on charges of fraud over $5,000 and laundering the proceeds of crime — and still has no lawyer.
But the bankrupt crypto boy wonder sent a message that he was “running a few minutes late.” Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein was not amused.
When the 27-year-old Pleterski finally arrived in his charcoal grey suit and black shirt about 25 minutes later, the judge didn’t mince words. “Court starts at 9,” he began, politely but sternly.
“I do want you to understand that if you’re having trouble getting to court on time, there is a way to make sure that you get to court on time. Do you understand what that is?”
“It means I get picked up,” Pleterski replied.
“It means you go into custody. It means your bail gets cancelled and you go into custody and then we’ll make sure that you get to court on time,” Goldstein warned.
Maybe it’s tough to get to places on time when your two high-speed McLarens and your Lamborghini have been taken away.
After angry investors forced Pleterski into bankruptcy in 2022, the appointed trustee at accounting firm Grant Thornton alleged he’d invested only 1.6% of the $41.5 million he’d been given and had spent nearly $16 million to support his luxurious lifestyle that included trips on a private jet, an exotic car collection and a $45,000-a-month multi-million dollar waterfront mansion in Burlington.
In a 2024 court filing, Grant Thornton opposed his discharge from bankruptcy, alleging Pleterski was continuing to solicit investments, hiding assets in a “catch me if you can attitude” and still living extravagantly, leading to “the overwhelming conclusion that he has a complete lack of remorse or contrition for his actions.”
- Whitby’s alleged ‘Crypto King’ accused of $40M Ponzi scheme: Cops
- MANDEL: Kidnapper who tortured Ontario's 'Crypto King' wants a break
- 'Crypto King' dethroned by probe into alleged multi-million-dollar fraud
Denies all allegations
In a responding affidavit, Pleterski denied all the allegations against him and claimed that the trustee demanding he repay millions before being discharged would unfairly ensure he was “punished for the rest of my life for mostly immature actions on my part that had no ill intent.”
His troubles continued when following a 14-month investigation, Pleterski was arrested in May 2024 and released on bail after his Whitby parents pledged $100,000 and he surrendered his passport. Investigators told the media the “size of the alleged fraud was massive and spanned across multiple jurisdictions.”
If convicted, he faces a maximum 14 years in prison.
Some angry investors weren’t willing to wait out the results of a criminal trial and sought justice in a more violent fashion.
Deren Akyeam-Pong admitted last year that he was hired to kidnap Pleterski in Toronto at gunpoint on Dec. 5, 2022 and with accomplices, beat him, burned him with a cigarette, waterboarded him and even subjected him to a mock execution in an effort to get back $300,000. He was finally released three days later with his promise to come up with the money.
All healed, Pleterski is still crying the financial blues. Lawyer Marco Sciarra appeared in court by Zoom and advised the judge that he still hasn’t been retained despite the trial just weeks away. He explained that he’s told the fallen crypto king that he needs two retainers — the first is to file an adjournment application and if that’s granted, the second is to go on the record as his trial lawyer.
“Mr. Pleterski seemed to understand that. He advised me that he’s made significant financial arrangements in his personal life to put me in that position within a week and a half.”
Trial will start with our without counsel, judge warns
Or is this just another play by the alleged fraudster?
Goldstein warned Pleterski that there’s no guarantee the trial judge — Justice Shaun Nakatsuru — will grant the adjournment and he better prepare himself to act as his own lawyer because the trial is slated to begin with or without counsel. He told him there’s a Superior Court guide for self-represented litigants with advice on how to pick a jury and he should familiarize himself with all the financial disclosure the Crown has provided so he can question witnesses.
He then told Pleterski to return to court on Sept. 21 before Nakatsuru — and issued one last piece of advice.
“Just remember what I said about coming on time.”
mmandel@postmedia.com