Former Financial Manager for Pearl Jam Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft Charges

A former financial executive with Pearl Jam, who was charged with 33 counts of felony theft in June of this year, has pleaded guilty in federal court.

Ricky Charles Goodrich was accused of using his position as Pearl Jam’s chief financial officer (CFO) and his company, Curtis Management, to steal $380,000 from the band over a period of four years before finally being fired in 2010.

Seattle Police also allege that Goodrich’s felony theft cost the management company $566,000, including investigative expenses as they looked into his case. Their investigation led to the discovery of multiple transactions that Goodrich used to pay off personal debts that he and his wife had run up, along with some personal items like wine and vacations.

Goodrich pleaded guilty to six counts, out of the 33 counts, of first-degree felony theft. He will be sentenced in February, and it is likely that Seattle prosecutors will ask that he spend six months in jail, provided Goodrich can repay the full $388,000 by his sentencing. If not, prosecutors will likely ask for Goodrich to spend 14 months in jail.

Initially, Goodrich was hired by Pearl Jam Touring Company in 2005, as the band’s accountant and financial officer. He was hired on at Curtis Inc the following year, and then took control over all financial matters involving Pearl Jam’s tours. However, the band’s manager decided to look into “cash flow issues” in 2009, after discovering that Goodrich had not paid the band thousands of dollars that he claimed he had. During the band’s May 2010 tour, Goodrich was confronted about the financial discrepancies, and he claimed that he paid $15,000 in “road cash” to the band. When Pearl Jam’s members said that was untrue, Goodrich then claimed he paid the $15,000 to the crew, but the crew also denied receiving the money. He was fired in September 2010, and the Seattle Police Department launched a criminal investigation in 2011.

So far, Goodrich has managed to repay $125,000. He still owes $181,000.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Felony Theft, Wire Fraud, Grand Larceny, and Other Federal Charges

Our federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving:

• Fraudulent insurance claims
• Bond issuances and investment schemes
• Falsifying loan applications
• Check fraud schemes
• Bribes or kickbacks
• False advertising or misrepresentation in sales transactions
• making a false statement to a loan officer or bank official
• deceiving a bank
• falsifying loan documents
• check fraud
• forging check signatures
• ATM fraud
• Embezzlement

And other federal charges.

The Strom Law Firm, LLC has the experience that you need to defend your federal charges, whether you are charged with felony theft, grand larceny, embezzlement, kickbacks, or murder-for-hire.  Founded by former U.S. Attorney and assistant solicitor, Pete Strom, our experienced criminal defense attorneys include a former public defender, and a former Assistant Attorney General and Richland County Assistant Solicitor, as well as a tax lawyer familiar with IRS investigations.  Our experience and familiarity with prosecutorial techniques provide the basis for experienced and effective legal representation. We will fight hard to have your charges reduced, or even dismissed. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case as well the most effective way to proceed with your case. 803.2523.4800