As an influencer in real estate, CESAR Pina gained notoriety on the internet.
It is said that despite his success, he defrauded several investors of millions of dollars.
Who is Cesar Pina?
From Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, comes novelist and real estate investor Cesar Pina.
Through his real estate flipping company, he gained notoriety alongside DJ Envy, real estate entrepreneur RaaShaun Casey.
During The Breakfast Club, his iHeartRadio show, Casey frequently highlights Pina’s work.
Pina brags to his over 303,000 Instagram followers about his achievements in addition to receiving radio shoutouts.
He has been spotted posing with a number of celebrities throughout the years, including Meek Mill, 50 Cent, Post Malone, and Snoop Dogg.
Pina has thousands of fans on TikTok, where he shares videos of his artwork.
Why was Cesar Pina arrested?
October 2023 saw the announcement that Pina had been taken into custody over claims of real estate fraud.
He was accused of defrauding scores of investors in a Ponzi-like scam in a federal lawsuit.
“As alleged in the complaint, Pina exploited celebrity status and social media to develop a devoted following of potential victims. Promising returns that were too good to be true, Pina allegedly defrauded dozens of people of millions of dollars,” US Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a press release.
Pina was charged with one count of wire fraud and released on $1 million bond.
He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Pina has not commented on the charges directly, however, he has made a social media post after the news was announced, suggesting he is innocent.
“I’m Still here!!! Always moving forward never backwards!!!” he captioned an Instagram post on October 18, which featured the quote, “Every negative is a positive. The bad things that happen to me, I somehow make them good. That means you can’t do anything to hurt me.”
Who is Pina’s alleged business partner, DJ Envy?
Aside from his relationship with Pina, Casey is well-known for his work as a radio host, record producer, and disc jockey.
The online celebrity Gia Casey and the New York City native are married since 2001. She is well known for hosting The Breakfast Club, which is dubbed the “world’s most dangerous morning show.”
Alongside him as co-host is Lenard Larry McKelvey, a.k.a. Charlamagne tha God.
Lawsuits filed in relation to the case have mentioned Casey as a co-defendant; but, at this point, he is not being prosecuted for any crimes.
He has claimed to be a victim since Pina gave him money, but he has denied any involvement in the alleged Ponzi scheme.
“They’re sensationalizing this situation,” Casey’s lawyer, Massimo F. D’Angelo, told Billboard.
“Envy had no involvement whatsoever. The only reason he’s being dragged into this is because he’s a public figure.”
