Six former Apple employees have been prosecuted by Santa Clara County prosecutors for allegedly abusing the tech giant’s gift-matching program to make charitable contributions.
In connection with the plot, which occurred between 2018 and 2021, the employees were charged with a number of offenses, including grand theft, conspiracy to conduct felony grand theft, perjury, and tax fraud, according to the office of District Attorney Jeff Rosen. Because of the amounts involved, the workers are additionally subject to an aggravated white-collar crime enhancement.
Siu Kei (Alex) Kwan, 37, of Castro Valley; Yathei (Hayson) Yuen, 34, of San Jose; Yat C (Sunny) Ng, 35, of Milpitas; Wentao (Victor) Li, 38; Lichao Ni, 39; and Zheng Chang, 31 of Union City, are the suspects according to the identification.
“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to rigorously prosecuting individuals who defraud the tech community and misuse vital charitable programs and state resources,”Rosen said in a statement. “We commend Apple for coming forward and actively collaborating with our Office to uncover this elaborate fraud.”
Prosecutors claim that Kwan was the operation’s suspected ringleader, ordering the other five suspects to make donations to the “American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE)” and “Hop4Kids.” Kwan served as ACICE’s accountant and CEO of Hop4Kids.
According to the prosecution, the staff members would donate via Benevity, a third-party website. Benevity would provide the money to the charity, and Apple would match the donation 100% or 200%.
Kwan allegedly pocketed the matching amounts for himself while paying back the employees. It is also alleged that he prepared false tax returns.
Additionally, it is alleged that the staff members fabricated tax deductions for the donations.
According to the prosecution, the suspects overreported approximately $100,000 in charitable contributions as tax deductions on their returns and took approximately $152,000 out of Apple’s gift-matching program.
All six individuals had arrest warrants issued, according to Rosen’s office. Dates for arraignment are still pending.
In addition to potential jail time and restitution payments, the suspects may also be subject to fines and other costs if found guilty.
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