A former employee of a Union City trucking company, Darinder S. Dyal, has been accused of stealing over $4.3 million from his employer. Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price charged him with more than 150 felonies. These charges cover a long list of crimes, including stealing money, hiding it, and lying under oath.
Fuel Card Fraud: The Scheme
The alleged theft began in January 2015. Dyal worked in a position of trust and handled the company’s money. He is accused of setting up a secret fuel card account, which he used to write checks to himself every week. This scheme continued for almost eight years until it was uncovered in May 2022. Dyal is said to have used the stolen money for personal luxuries, such as expensive trips, sports events, shopping, and gambling.
Money Laundering
In addition to the theft, Dyal faces 65 charges of money laundering. Prosecutors say he put over $900,000 of the stolen money into his personal bank accounts. This allowed him to spend the money without raising suspicion. Dyal also faces a charge of perjury. In December 2020, he allegedly lied under oath, claiming he made $10,000 a month from gambling winnings. Investigators believe this lie was an attempt to hide the true source of his income, which came from the stolen funds.
California District Attorney Pamela Price Speaks Out
District Attorney Pamela Price has taken this case seriously. “We have filed charges and enhancements, including the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement and the money laundering enhancement, that are appropriate given the size of the theft and the betrayal of these vulnerable victims,” Price said. She also emphasized that her office will protect small businesses from people who try to steal from them. Price thanked the Union City Police Department and the Special Prosecutions Unit in her office for their work on the case. The investigation was led by Deputy District Attorney Gabriel Markoff.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Dyal was arrested at Oakland airport earlier this week. He made his first court appearance on September 26, 2024, at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin. He remains in custody while the case continues.
The full scope of Dyal’s actions is still being investigated. The trucking company is working closely with law enforcement to ensure justice is served.
