Former Apple Employee Pleads Guilty, Admits to Defrauding Company of Over $17 Million

A former Apple employee has admitted to defrauding the company of millions of dollars, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California announced this week.

Dhirendra Prasad, 52, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in connection with what prosecutors described as “multiple schemes” involving Apple. While Prasad began working for Apple in 2008, he’s believed to have started defrauding the company in 2011, ultimately leading to a loss for the tech giant of more than $17 million through various means.

The individual’s duties while employed at Apple included buying parts and services from vendors. While carrying out these duties, Prasad is said to have stolen parts and inflated invoices, as well as had Apple pay for things that were never actually received by the company.

A Department of Justice press release gives a few examples of Prasad’s schemes, including fraudulent invoice proceedings involving previously charged vendor owners.

Prasad, whose initial charging was revealed in March of this year, has now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and to conspiracy to defraud the United States. The former charge carries a potential maximum sentence of as much as 20 years behind bars, while the latter carries a possible maximum sentence of five years. Sentencing is set for next March.

Apple, meanwhile, was in headlines last month in connection with the selling of an unopened first-generation iPhone at auction. As previously reported, the historic device sold for just under $40,000 at LCG Auctions.

In September, Apple rolled out its latest iPhone as part of its Far Out event in Cupertino. For a full breakdown of what all was unveiled during the special event, revisit this link.