Convicted internet fraudster Ramon Abass aka Hushpuppi will no longer be sentenced on February 14, 2022, the US attorney’s office at the Central District of California has said.
Following a request issued by Hushpuppi’s lawyers led by Louis Shapiro, Judge Otis. D. Wright granted that the sentencing be postponed till July 11, 2022.
“At the request of counsel, the sentencing is continued to July 11, 2022, at 11:00 am,” court document said after the decision was taken on February 2.
Unconfirmed reports say the sentencing is being delayed over the alleged involvement of a top police officer in Nigeria Abba Kyari. Mr Kyari is still being investigated by Nigerian authorities.
Hushpuppi faces about 20 years in prison for his crimes bordering on internet scam and money laundering, among others. Many of the victims of the Nigerian were Americans.
A plea bargain signed by Shapiro; acting US attorney, Tracy Wilkison, among others, stated that Hushpuppi risks “20 years’ imprisonment; a 3-year period of supervised release; a fine of $500,000 or twice the gross gain or gross loss resulting from the offence.”
The Nigerian was in the habit of flaunting wealth on Instagram, sharing photos of extravagant shopping trips, luxury cars, clothes and watches.
An international police investigation uncovered almost $41million in cash and 13 cars valued at about $6.8m. Among his fleet of luxury cars were Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maybach.
The Dubai Police later handed Hushpuppi and his co-conspirators over to the FBI.
