Crypto King Aiden Pleterski found guilty of fraud after jury trial in Toronto, CBC reports

Jury reaches verdict

The jury began deliberating at about 10:30 a.m. and returned its verdict shortly before noon. It found Pleterski guilty of fraud over $5,000. Justice Shaun Nakatsuru delivered his full decision denying Pleterski’s mistrial request after deliberations had started. Pleterski had argued that he could not receive a fair trial without a lawyer.

Investor funds and spending

The Crown said Pleterski took more than $36 million from investors for trading, but none of the money was deposited in FXChoice, the platform named in their contracts. Financial records presented at trial showed he spent $16.3 million on himself and returned $16.1 million to investors as returns.

Investors sought to trace at least $35 million after forcing Pleterski into bankruptcy in the summer of 2022. CBC News first reported on him more than four years ago.

Trial and next steps

Pleterski cross-examined the first of 14 Crown witnesses and called no evidence in his defence. He did not testify, and addressed the jury for the first time in a brief closing statement.

Pleterski’s parents, who attended the verdict, will act as his sureties while he is under house arrest awaiting sentencing. He has hired lawyer Marco Sciarra to handle the sentencing proceedings.