MANDEL: Dethroned Ontario 'Crypto King' Aiden Pleterski now a pauper and lawyerless as trial nears

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The arrogance of the fallen self-proclaimed “Crypto King” knows no bounds.

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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.