(AllHipHop News) The old saying “fake it ’til you make it” is not always the best move. For example, Maryland-based recording artist Chad Arrington (aka Chad Focus) is accused of stealing millions of dollars from his employer to promote his songs.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office in Maryland, the Search Engine Optimization Specialist was given an American Express company credit card for business expenses, but he allegedly embezzled over $4 million from the unnamed company to fund his music career. Arrington was indicted in federal court for conspiracy, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.
Focus supposedly used the stolen money to buy Instagram followers, YouTube views, Spotify plays, social media likes, travel costs, sound equipment, studio kits, instruments, music technology, billboards, and more. The 31-year-old Randallstown resident faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Two co-conspirators were also connected to the alleged crimes.
“He was using that company credit card to make purchases for himself, to enrich himself and his own personal business and his brand,” stated U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert Hur. Federal Magistrate Judge Stephanie Gallagher ordered that Chad Arrington be detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 7 at 2 pm.
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