Alleged theft from Dane Cook topped $10 million
(Pool Photo)
McCauley at his arraignment today.
By Peter Schworm, Globe Staff
WOBURN -- The half-brother of Dane Cook allegedly embezzled more than $10 million from the comedian in a series of thefts that included cashing a forged $3 million check at a bank in downtown Boston, a prosecutor said today in court.
Darryl McCauley, 43, allegedly signed Cook's name on the check and cashed it at the Bank of America branch at 100 Federal Street in the Financial District. The cash funded McCauley on a cross-country trip by plane, train, and rental car, according to Assistant Attorney General Richard D. Grundy. McCauley, who has been Cook's business manager since the early 1990s, also allegedly wired large amounts of money to himself.
"None of these moves were authorized by Mr. Cook," Grundy said in Woburn District Court.
After McCauley's arrest on Tuesday, authorities searched his home in Wilmington and another residence in Maine, where Grundy said they discovered $800,000 in cash in $100 bills.
McCauley, a burly man dressed in a polo-style shirt, said little during his brief arraignment. He pleaded not guilty to charges of larceny, forgery, and larceny by continuous scheme.
McCauley's attorney, Robert Goldstein, said that his client never withdrew any money without Cook's consent and authorization.
"He's ready to confront these allegations," Goldstein said, adding that as a business manager McCauley had been "critical to Mr. Cook's success."
The investigation began two weeks ago after Cook and a lawyer filed a complaint with Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.
McCauley is a 1983 Arlington High School graduate who worked for 15 years as a correctional officer. According to Coakley's office, he had been Cook's part-time business manager since the early 1990s. In 2005, he started working fulltime for Cook and drew a monthly salary of $12,500.
As business manager, he would manage his client's financial affairs, including the receipt and payment of bills, and the receipt and deposit of income and revenue from various businesses his client controlled. In November, Cook made it clear he was going to hire someone from California to be his business manager. At the time, Cook asked McCauley for all of his business records so he could give them to his new manger.
"The defendant has not provided any of the records," Grundy said.
Investigators are also scrutinizing McCauley's other financial dealings, including a $150,000 real estate investment in Florida, Grundy said.
McCauley was ordered to surrender his passport and held on $3 million bail. He is scheduled to return to court Jan. 15.
Bill Blumenreich, a friend of Cook's who produced several tours and runs the Comedy Connection, said yesterday that he was somewhat surprised by the arrest.
He said he learned about a month ago that McCauley had been fired, but was not sure why until yesterday.
"It's just very unfortunate, very shocking," Blumenreich said.
McCauley was with Cook from the beginning of the comedian's young career. He would sell merchandise at Cook's local shows, and manage the e-mail list and website. Cook at one point credited McCauley for giving him a job at Burger King, when he was a teenager and McCauley was a manager.
Cook, 36, had always kept family close, but McCauley sincerely seemed to help him, too, Blumenreich said.
"I think he wanted to help him out, and I think the kid was working very hard for him, too," he said.
Originally known as a stand-up comic who released comedy albums, including the double-platinum album "Retaliation," Cook has been starring in a series of films in recent years, including "Employee of the Month," with Jessica Simpson, and last fall's "My Best Friend's Girl," with Kate Hudson.
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How did that scrub even make $10M?
he cashed a check for 3 million dollars and walked out of the bank? hmm
Hard to believe that Dane Cook has $10 million to steal.
Another good example of why you don’t mix family and business.
Hey hey what is a lousy 10 million between brothers
it happens all the time, I mean I am sure most brothers
do that.I know if my dear brother stole 10 million from me
I might say Oh darn you!, but a big hug and all will be tight again.
What is even more suprising is that this unfunny hack has $10 million to begin with....
Yet another celebrity trusting others to look after his financial affairs. It baffles me why celebs don't watch their assets more closely. When will they learn.
I can't beleive he's made that much money in the first place!
Who gave him $10 Million in the first place?
10 million? Imagine how much he'd be worth if he were actually funny!
Pretty shocking, I wouldn't think you could cash a check for 3 million on someone elses behalf.
Finally, Dane Cook has made me laugh! I don't know what is more shocking here, the fact that someone could bilk 10 million from Dane Cook without him knowing or the fact that this no talent, not funny village idiot has actually made that much money.
The real question is how did Cook with his lack of talent make that much money?
This really shows where are priorities are in this state.....m man rapes a 15 year old girl and gets 7500 bail.....yet a person steals "property" and get 3 million dollars. Amazing...
Well, it stinks to be ripped off, but isn't Dane Cook accused of stealing routines from several other comedians? Seems like a case of "what goes around, comes around."
The biggest shock of all is how a guy with no talent can amass a fortune worth $10 million?
Wow you people are a bunch of idiots. The joke is old, the guy makes tons of money and everyone of his haters feels the need to wonder how he even made that much money.
Go flip my burger you losers.
Sounds like a lot of angry, jealous posters to this story. People, he's got a lot more left over even AFTER having $10M stolen from him. Trust me.
Please submit donations at www.dane-cook-bailout.com. All major credit cards accepted.
You too could help support a struggling comedian and stop the madness of Dane starring in Good Luck Chuck 2.
Good. I can't stand him.
Maybe Dane Cook should go to jail for how he earned $10,000,000.
He is a no talent hack
like him or not, there was a time when most people thought he was funny - but his schtick got old fairly quickly. unlike everyone else, i'm not surprised he had that much money, however i am schocked at his idiocy of not realizing that much money was going missing. brother or not, you have that much cash i think you'd want to see some regular statements from a 'business manager'...
The slimy, crooked brother aside, there is obviously no correlation here between talent and income. Good people are losing jobs, homes and family relationships and Dane Cook whose next funny line will be his first is taking in millions of dollars. Only in the so called "entertainment" industry. Then of course if we are going to point out the gulf that often exists between talent and income there is always Julio Lugo, but the weather is depressing enough so let's not go there.
Man, that must mean all the guys he's ripped off such as Louis CK and others are missing out on some royalties. What a clown.
Steve,
I dont appreciate you insulting "burger flippers". I will have you know that my staff of high trained "grill specialists" are among the most hardworking and skilled food service professionals in the business. I dont care if he is "employee of the month", I wouldn't hire your beloved Dane Cook to clean rat droppings from the lard vats in MY establishment.
I feel sorry for Dane Cook. He has a good heart and has done so much for other people, especially for the troops in Iraq. It is appalling that his own brother would steal money from him. Dane, you are too trusting of people. You are kind and generous and people taken advantage of that. But don't worry the cream always rises to the top. Daryl will not get away with what he's done to you. Keep being the good person you are. Your fans love you and are on your side always. Good things will come for you in the new year. There are people out there who care for you and will always be looking out for you.
Louis CK is smiling somewhere...oh, the irony.
I think people are way to critical to something they dont like. Why sit here and bash someones talents that others may deem likeable. Certainly you wouldnt want to be talked to or about like some of the things i've seen written here.
Its too bad that happened to him, I hope that the situation gets resolved and hes able to learn from it, perhaps use it in some stand up routines?
Good luck Dane!
How ironic, someone stealing money from a comedian that stole jokes from other comedians. Don't believe that Dane Cook is a joke thief, check out youtube for yourself. Dane Cook is NOT funny.
Karma :)
O.J. is funnier in the naked gun than just about anything Dane has ever done. Serves him right - enjoy the unemployment line!!
who the hell is Dane Cook?
Never heard of him until i saw 1/2 of an old rerun of one of his concerts 3 weeks ago . (flipping channels back and forth , waiting for him to be " funny ")
Then i see this , ...... like what the ?
1 - 2 - 3
1.) Like him or not Dane has a legion of fans that love him 2M+ on myspace alone.
2.) Dane cares far more about our solders that are protecting us serving all over the world ... We should all care as much as Dane does.
I have witnessed Dane's compassion for a seriously wounded solder and his family at one of his shows ... It was genuine.
3.) Jealousy and Sour grapes ... Get over the fact that he generated success and you did not, could not and will not ever.
Love the Dane. He appeals to a younger crowd.
I FEEL DANE COOK IS VERY FUNNY AND SO DOES MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE OR HE WOULDN'T SELL OUT EVERY VENUE BOOKED! YOU HATERS ARE THE LOSERS. THE GUY GETS RIPPED OFF AND YOU GUYS WANT TO DOWN THE GUY! IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU YOU WOULDN'T BE TALKING SMACK! AND HE IS FUNNIER THEN YOU ARE!
You people are insensitive about Forgery. All this could happen to you ! Bank of America was involved in forgeries of opening assets that my blind, diabetic father did not open, transfering accounts, and changing beneficiaries. The Bank of America Broker is lying about everything, he didn't take I.D., and there were proven forgeries, even a signature with a wrong initial. IN fact, I may have to write a book or film about this, because it has been a living hell ! After your parent works 88 hours a week, you might be upset when it all goes POOF, because of forgeries.. I hear these stories everyday, and NOBODY is immune !!!!
poor dane!! :(
hmm ok I a agree with the positive comments. I think he's hot AND funny. pretty much sums it up. I Love Dane Cook!
ahh that sucks he's hot and funny. I feel sorry for him.
RE: "Please submit donations at www.dane-cook-bailout.com. All major credit cards accepted."
Don't send money, just send him some jokes!
Lord knows he needs them!
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
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