The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has brought charges against a former accountant for multiple felonies related to embezzlement, identity theft, and money laundering.
The Charges
Angela Fae Brown, a 53-year-old from Olivehurst, CA, has been charged with a six-count felony complaint. The charges stem from her actions between September 2017 and November 2022, where she engaged in a scheme that defrauded over $800,000 from Viking Pavers, a paver company in Richmond where she was employed.
The Scheme
Brown used her position and accounting skills to create a fake online account, pretending to be the owner of Viking Pavers. She generated hundreds of phony invoices for services and sent them electronically to the fake account she controlled, funneling the company’s funds into her personal bank account.
The Discovery
A manager at Viking Pavers eventually suspected fraudulent activity and confronted Brown. The Richmond Police, along with financial forensics analysts from the District Attorney’s Office, investigated the case, leading to Brown’s arrest on April 19th, 2024.
Legal Proceedings
Brown was arraigned today in Contra Costa Superior Court, with her bail set at two million dollars. She is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.
The District Attorney’s Statement
District Attorney Diana Becton emphasized the importance of using forensic tools to recover stolen funds in white-collar crimes. The Special Operations Unit is dedicated to uncovering concealed funds and bringing justice to such cases.
Case Information
The case, filed under number 02-24-00513, The People of the State of California v. Brown, Angela Fae, includes special allegations for aggravated white-collar crime involving more than $500,000.
