Walnut Creek, Lafayette Execs Face Sentencing, More Charges In $912M Solar Scheme

Executives from five Contra Costa County cities face sentences amounting to more than a quarter century in a solar fraud scheme.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:55pm

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Prosecutors have handed down more indictments in a massive solar fraud scheme involving a Walnut Creek man and several others from across Contra Costa County. Ronald J. Roach, 57, of Walnut Creek, pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 13, 2026. Ari J. Lauer, 61, a Lafayette corporate attorney, received an 11-year-and-five-month prison sentence on March 9 after admitting he helped orchestrate the sprawling DC Solar fraud scheme, which drew more than $900 million from investors.

Why it matters

This case highlights the significant damage caused by white-collar crime, which can disrupt entire industries and harm thousands of investors. The sentencing of these executives sends a strong message that law enforcement will aggressively pursue and prosecute such large-scale fraud schemes.

The details

Prosecutors say Lauer's role as outside counsel helped lend credibility to DC Solar's operations and reassured investors who poured millions into mobile solar generator projects that largely did not exist. Investigators found that about 95% of recorded generator lease revenue came from moving new investor money within company accounts, with less than 5% reflecting genuine third-party demand. Lauer and other participants even drafted a 're-rent agreement' in 2014 and backdated it to 2011 to justify millions of dollars moving between accounts.

  • On April 13, 2026, Ronald J. Roach is scheduled to be sentenced.
  • On March 9, 2026, Ari J. Lauer received an 11-year-and-five-month prison sentence.

The players

Ronald J. Roach

A 57-year-old man from Walnut Creek who pleaded guilty to criminal offenses related to the fraud scheme.

Ari J. Lauer

A 61-year-old Lafayette corporate attorney who helped orchestrate the DC Solar fraud scheme and received an 11-year-and-five-month prison sentence.

DC Solar

The company at the center of the $912 million solar fraud scheme, which claimed investors would buy mobile solar generators and lease them back to the company.

Jeff Carpoff

The founder of DC Solar, who was sentenced to 30 years in prison and ordered to pay $790.6 million in restitution.

Paulette Carpoff

The wife of Jeff Carpoff, who received an 11-year-and-three-month sentence.

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What they’re saying

“Without the participation of Lauer, the DC Solar fraud scheme would never have been operational. He used his skill as a corporate lawyer to execute a sophisticated tax scheme that enabled the largest criminal fraud in the history of the Eastern District of California.”

— Eric Grant, U.S. Attorney

“Ari Lauer intentionally used his position as an attorney to provide the illusion of legitimacy to DC Solar's fraudulent scheme. Today's sentence sends a clear message that law enforcement will unravel these lies and dismantle Ponzi schemes.”

— Sid Patel, FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge

“White-collar crime is not victimless. Our investigators followed the money and uncovered the truth to help secure justice for those harmed.”

— Linda Nguyen, IRS Criminal Investigation Oakland Special Agent in Charge

What’s next

The judge in Roach's case will decide on April 13, 2026 whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the significant damage caused by large-scale white-collar fraud schemes, which can disrupt entire industries and harm thousands of investors. The lengthy sentences handed down to the executives involved send a strong message that law enforcement will aggressively pursue and prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.