Kerr Kriisa Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud Charges

Kriisa, who posed as a fictitious person named “Irene,” contacted the victim via email, requesting money to avoid litigation over a financial dispute. Harvey stated, "Financial fraud is not a game, and those who choose to deceive and exploit others will be held accountable."

The 25-year-old Kriisa faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for December 22. His attorney, federal public defender Richard Walker, declined to comment on the case.

A 6-foot-3 guard from Estonia, Kriisa previously led the Pac-12 in assists during his two seasons at the University of Arizona, where he began his college career in 2020. However, he faced suspension during his only season at West Virginia for receiving impermissible benefits while at Arizona. He transferred to the University of Kentucky in 2024, limited to nine games due to a foot injury, and concluded his eligibility at Cincinnati, starting 12 games before suffering a shoulder injury.

In June, Kriisa was indicted on five counts of wire fraud involving an alleged $2.2 million scheme that dated back to at least 2022. Prosecutors claimed he sought payments from multiple victims and instructed one to transfer funds to another under false pretenses. The indictment highlighted that Kriisa signed an agreement in April 2025 to repay one victim $100,000 by February 2026 but failed to do so. Additionally, from 2022 until June 2 of this year, Kriisa impersonated various individuals, including his own mother, claiming his family needed urgent financial assistance.