Dane Cook's kin accused of stealing millions from comic

Dane Cook

The older half-brother of Dane Cook was charged yesterday with stealing millions of dollars from the Massachusetts-based actor-comedian over the past 18 months while serving as his personal business manager.

Darryl McCauley, 43, is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Woburn District Court on charges of larceny, forgery, and larceny by continuous scheme. He was arrested at his Wilmington home yesterday by State Police.

The state attorney general's office, which investigated the case, would not identify McCauley as Cook's brother yesterday, only saying that he stole from a national entertainer with local ties.

However, Cook's friends and state documents identify McCauley as his half-brother and as an official with his company, Great Dane Enterprises, Inc.

Joseph Zwicker, a Boston lawyer, said yesterday that he represents Cook and that he plans to be at the arraignment today, but he would not comment further until the case is presented in court.

The investigation began two weeks ago after Cook and a lawyer filed a complaint with Attorney General Martha Coakley's office.

According to Coakley's office, McCauley had been the business manager for his client from the early 1990s until this month.

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.

Between July 2007 and December 2008, prosecutors say, McCauley stole millions of dollars from his former client's business accounts by transferring funds to his own personal accounts. In one instance, he allegedly forged Cook's signature for a $3 million check from the entertainer's account to himself.

McCauley used the money for personal use, Coakley's office said, and an investigation is ongoing.

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. McCauley worked as a state prison guard until a few years ago, when Cook was successful enough to hire him full time. 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.

Martin Finucane of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Milton Valencia can be reached at mvalencia@globe.com.