A Toronto jury has found Aiden Pleterski guilty of fraud. Pleterski, 27, described himself as the "Crypto King." The jury convicted him of one count of fraud over C$5,000 after several hours of deliberation.
Crown prosecutors called more than a dozen witnesses, including investors Pleterski allegedly cheated. Pleterski pleaded not guilty and represented himself. He cross-examined one witness, presented no evidence and did not testify.
Pleterski was charged in May 2024 with fraud and money laundering after a 16-month joint investigation by Durham Regional Police and the Ontario Securities Commission. The money laundering charge was later dropped. At the time, Durham Regional Police Chief Peter Moreira said it was potentially the biggest fraud case in the region.
According to the report, Crown prosecutors presented evidence that Pleterski took more than C$36 million from investors and spent about half. They said he used money sent to his company, AP Private Equity Limited, for private jet trips, about C$5.6 million on luxury vehicles, and about C$45,000 a month on a lakefront mansion in Burlington, Ontario. Prosecutors also said he ran up C$4.9 million in credit card bills.
Crown prosecutor Akshay Aurora told the jury during closing arguments on Wednesday, "He was a thief. A thief who stole investor money and used it as he pleased," according to CBC News.
In December 2022, Pleterski was kidnapped in downtown Toronto, and his captors demanded a large sum for his release. The report says he was released three days later after being tortured. He returns to court on 13 November for a sentencing hearing.