The former musical director for the United Nations and star drummer has been arrested after suspicion of embezzling $750,000 from an overseas charity concert, according to prosecutors.
Robin DiMaggio, 47, agreed to help the Peace for You Peace for Me Foundation organize a concert for homeless and displaced children in Bulgaria and was wired $750,000 to secure several celebrities for the show in 2016. However, according to the Associated Press, officials say that DiMaggio used the money for personal expenses instead of paying the artists involved.
CBS Los Angeles reports that within weeks of the wire transfer, he used the money to buy cars, pay off credit card debt, and purchase a house in Calabasas, California for his ex-wife. Additionally, he allegedly wired $150,000 of the funds to a bank account in the name of his company, DiMagic Entertainment, Inc.
While it is unknown at this time if DiMaggio has a lawyer, he could face wire fraud charges and if convicted, could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
DiMaggio is known for his career as a drummer. He has performed or recorded with artists like David Bowie, Tupac, Paul Simon, Daft Punk, and Diana Ross. In 2013, he was appointed as the United Nations musical director and was the drummer/musical director for Arsenio Hall’s second late-night talk show on CBS from 2013 to 2014.
