COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a courtroom development today, a California man, Brinson Caleb Silver, 43, hailing from Culver City, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to charges of embezzling over $10.2 million from his employer and defying court orders in a lawsuit against him.
Silver, the former Chief Marketing Officer of Root, Inc., an online car insurance company, entered guilty pleas to wire fraud and contempt of court charges. As part of his plea agreement, Silver has committed to restitution payments exceeding $10.2 million.
According to court records, between November 2021 and November 2022, Silver, in his capacity at Root, orchestrated contracts with four vendors for marketing services. He instructed these vendors to divert portions of their contract earnings to bank accounts held by businesses under his ownership and control, accumulating over $10.2 million in misappropriated funds.
The ill-gotten gains were used by Silver for extravagant personal expenses, including the acquisition of a $1.4 million yacht, a Mercedes-Benz G550 priced at nearly $165,000, an amphibious plane, luxury watches, and other items.
In response to his fraudulent activities, Root initiated legal proceedings against Silver in February 2023. The Court imposed restrictions on his financial transactions, limiting them to no more than $5,000. Disregarding these orders, Silver failed to appear for a civil suit-related hearing, opting instead for lavish global travel.
During February and March 2023, Silver’s expenditures, violating court directives, included $20,000 on plastic surgery, over $25,000 at Indonesian establishments (including an $8,000 expenditure at a luxury resort in Bali) and withdrawals in Indonesia, and more than $88,000 through PayPal to various individuals. Silver also concealed information about a $1.8 million property he owned in California. Simultaneously, he placed two calls to an “international relocation” company, seeking citizenship in a non-extradition country and a foreign bank account beyond U.S. jurisdiction.
Criminal charges were filed against Silver, leading to his arrest in June 2023. The involved parties have recommended a prison sentence ranging from 24 to 51 months, coupled with the stipulation for Silver to pay $10.2 million in restitution.