Final Solar Fraud Defendant Gets Prison Term in Massive Scheme

A federal judge sentenced Ronald J. Roach to 66 months in prison for his central role in a massive $912 million fraud scheme. This milestone marks the final sentencing in the largest criminal fraud case in the history of the Eastern District of California.

As the accountant for DC Solar, Roach deliberately lied to investors and fabricated financials to hide the lack of actual revenue. The operation relied on creating a false market for mobile solar generators that rarely ever saw real-world use.

Liberty Check

• Accountability for financial deception protects the integrity of the market.
• Exploiting federal tax incentives distorts legitimate energy sectors.
• Government oversight must ensure private capital is not drained by bad actors.

Investigation revealed that 95 percent of the company’s recorded revenue consisted of intercompany transfers disguised as new investor funds. The scammers used the promise of federal tax credits to lure in over $750 million in capital between 2011 and 2018.

U.S. Attorney Eric Grant noted the gravity of the crimes committed by all eight defendants involved in the conspiracy.

“None of the eight defendants went to trial, but each ultimately accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty.”

This case highlights how government-funded incentives can become magnets for corruption when transparency is ignored. Protecting the constitutional rights of citizens requires a justice system that aggressively pursues those who weaponize financial complexity for personal gain.

The Constitution must be defended.

Read more about the DC Solar investigation.