WASHINGTON (CN) - The Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. says its financial manager "embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars" from it over a six-year period.
The center is suing Farzad Darui in Federal Court, claiming his bogus check scheme constitutes fraud, conversion, unjust enrichment and breach of fiduciary duties.
"Mr. Darui's embezzlement scheme involved preparing checks made payable to legitimate vendors, and - after having the checks signed by an authorized officer of the Islamic Center - altering the name of the payee on the checks to companies owned and/or controlled by Mr. Darui," the center claims.
The center says it's the first mosque built in Washington and the "first large Muslim place of worship ever built in the United States."
It claims Darui worked as its manager and bookkeeper from 1994 until 2006, when he was fired. His embezzlement scheme began in 2000 and lasted up until his firing, according to the lawsuit.
The Islamic Center wants Darui to pay unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
It is represented by Michael Ross of Aegis Law Group.
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