WASHINGTON: A former Apple employee of Indian origin has been charged with defrauding the tech giant out of more than $US10 million ($13.47 million) by taking kickbacks, stealing equipment and laundering money, US federal prosecutors said.
Dhirendra Prasad, 52, an Indian has been charged with defrauding Apple out of more than $13.37m via kickbacks, stolen parts and laundering.
Court allows government to seize property and finances worth about $6.8m from former employee. Prasad to appear in court next Thursday facing fraud, money laundering and tax evasion charges.
Dhirendra Prasad, 52, worked for 10 years as a buyer in Apple’s Global Service Supply Chain department.
A federal criminal case unsealed on Friday alleges that he exploited his position to defraud the company via several schemes, including stealing parts and causing the company to pay for items and services it never received. After obtaining a court order, the federal government has seized five real estate properties and financial accounts worth about $US5 million from Mr Prasad, and will seek to keep those assets as proceeds of crime, the US Attorney’s office in San Jose said in a news release.
Prasad is scheduled to make his first appearance in the US District Court in San Jose next Thursday to answer to charges of engaging in a conspiracy to commit fraud, money laundering and tax evasion.
It was unclear whether the accused had retained a lawyer. A phone number listed for Prasad was disconnected.
Prosecutors said two owners of vendor companies that did business with Apple have admitted to conspiring with Mr Prasad to commit fraud and launder money.
Fraud, money laundering and tax evasion each carry maximum sentences of five to 20 years’ jail, but sentencing guidelines and judges’ discretion mean most people convicted of fraud in Federal Court receive less than the maximum sentence. –Agencies
