Dane Cook's Brother Steals Millions From Him: Prosecutors

WOBURN, Mass. — The half brother of comedian Dane Cook has pleaded not guilty to embezzling millions from the comedian and was ordered held on $3 million bail.

Darryl McCauley was arraigned Wednesday at Woburn District Court on charges including forgery and larceny. Prosecutors alleged that McCauley, 43, stole the money from Cook while being paid $12,500 a month to act as business manager for Great Dane Enterprises, Inc.

Judge Joseph Jennings ordered McCauley to document the source of any funds used to meet his bail.

Cook's attorney, Joseph Zwicker, described Cook as "very distraught" about the situation. McCauley's attorney, Robert Goldstein, said his client is innocent.

"Mr. McCauley denies taking money from his brother without his consent," he said. "He's ready to confront these allegations."

Prosecutors accused McCauley of transferring funds from Cook's business accounts to his personal accounts between July 2007 and December 2008. In one instance, McCauley forged a $3 million check written from Cook's account to himself, investigators said.

McCauley allegedly used the money to buy four cars, and to take a seven-day trip across the country, during which he rented various cars. Prosecutors say investigators raided a Maine home McCauley owned and found $800,000 in cash in a safe.

Assistant Attorney General Rick Grundy also said McCauley talked about opening a restaurant in Ireland. Grundy said investigators have yet to find much of the allegedly stolen money.

McCauley worked with Cook during much of the comedian's early career, selling merchandise at Cook's shows and managing his Web site. Grundy said McCauley worked as an officer with the state Department of Correction before quitting to work for Cook full time.

"Mr. McCauley has been critical to Mr. Cook's success," Goldstein said.

Cook, 36, suspected his brother was stealing from him for some time, prosecutors said. He recently hired a new business manager in California and had been pressuring McCauley to hand over documents. Assistant Attorney General Rick Grundy said investigators were recently tipped off to the scheme by Cook's attorney.

Cook's comedy album, "Retaliation," went double platinum. He has recently appeared in several films, including "My Best Friend's Girl" with Kate Hudson.

Comments

[bermanator]

I live in the next town over from Woburn - about 2 miles from the courthouse. This will be hilarious to watch unfold. I saw Dane Cook live about 4 years ago and he was really funny then, but not so much since... I guess comedy is entirely a subjective art. I am amazed that he is worth even $3 million. Either way, he doesn't deserve to be stolen from, especially by family.

This sounds like the same sleazy, small-town behavior I see every day, gone national.

[MacDaffy]

This is the first time anything associated with Dane Cook has made me laugh.

[sherrzinpa]

Too funny! First thing I thought of was how did he get so much money?

[ColoradoDan]

... and I thought it was just me that found Dane Cook unwatchable and unlistenable. Amazing how much money he must have really made ... just incredible. If his bro stole the money, Dane should indeed get it.

Like so much of the corporate pop music foisted on the young now so many of the comedians are equally vapid. I saw his special on HBO once ... took a small crane to lift my jaw back into normal position. Once in a while I hear him on XM Comedy ... possibly the lamest comedian I've heard in years.

That the guy packs them in at Universities indicates to what degree the Dumbing Down of America has succeeded.

Cook is the Paris Hilton of comedy.

[HARVIN]

Who is Dane Cook?

[labman]

The real crime is the ticket money he stole from people who expected to see a comic.

[andyboy]

It does give one hope. If Dane can make it you could too.

[DubiousAtBest]

I can't think of too many "comedians" that i despise more than this guy.

He just reminds me of so many big mouth frat boy Az-h0les that you see shooting their mouths off in a bar. The kind of guy you just want to smash right in the mouth so he'll SHUT THE F UP!

It's amazing to me that this guy has even MADE millions. But on the other hand, Dane is kind of the poster boy for "lowest common denominator" .

Too bad he didn't lose everything.

[TheBlueArsenal]

I feel swindled. The article calls Dane Cook a comedian. I want to press charges.

[wembakoy]

Now the election is over what are you thinking about your country?

This is my suggestion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a08L8fcNZLk

Happy New Year 2009 to all.

Thanks

[reallymolly]

Dan Cook steals jokes from actual comics, Dane Cook's brother steals millions from him. It works for me.

[reallymolly]

Oops. I stole and 'e' from Dane Cook's name.

[Icantbelieveher]

Wasn't this guy in a movie with Jessica Simpson? That's the real crime!

[katedog]

Dane Cook has millions? How? He's terrible.

[inthedesert]

I have never heard of this person..............................LOL.

[unfettered]

Karma's a b*tch.
He stole from actual comedians Louis C.K. among them, not to mention money from his audiences.
Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

[RossForChange]

Serves him right for being a horrible comedian, also he steals jokes from a man named Louis C.K.