According to news sources, a former musical director with the Arsenio Hall Show was charged in federal court in California with embezzling more than $750,000 from an organization that was meant to benefit children. The alleged embezzlement reportedly occurred in 2016.
The man was the musical director of the band that performed on the Arsenio Hall Show. He was supposed to use the money to hire celebrity performers for a charity concert to benefit a nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness to help children around the world who are displaced by war.
The Peace for You Peace For Me Foundation sent the musical director $750,000 via wire to secure the performers on August 5, 2016. The man gave assurances that the money would be deposited in an escrow account. Instead, he reportedly deposited the money in his own account and used $250,000 to buy a home for his ex-wife as a part of his divorce agreement. He also transferred another $150,000 to his entertainment company’s account. The concert never took place, and the charity filed a lawsuit against the musical director in Los Angeles. His criminal charges were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and he is facing up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted as charged.
Embezzlement charges and other allegations of white-collar crimes can result in severe penalties if people are convicted of the offenses. Individuals who learn that they may face charges might benefit by getting legal representation before they are charged. In some cases, attorneys may be able to secure agreements with the prosecutors to avoid criminal charges in exchange for restitution. If people have already been charged, they might work to secure pleas to lesser offenses or sentences that avoid incarceration.
Source: Courthouse News, “‘Arsenio’ music director faces embezzlement charge,” Nathan Solis, December 10, 2018