“Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story,” premiering Sept. 29, examines the financial scandal that rocked Cook in 2008, when Darryl McCauley was accused of secretly taking millions of dollars from his famous brother.
McCauley, who managed Cook’s finances, began making unauthorized withdrawals ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. Cook says he did not initially understand what was happening, but eventually became suspicious that money was being moved and hidden without his knowledge.
The investigation uncovered at least $12 million in embezzled funds. According to the documentary, some of the stolen cash was hidden in a safe and even wrapped in plastic and placed inside containers of pasta sauce.
McCauley later pleaded guilty to larceny, embezzlement and other charges. His wife, Erika, also pleaded guilty. McCauley was ordered to repay the money and served six years in prison.
The betrayal was especially painful because McCauley was not only Cook’s business manager but also his half-brother. In the documentary, Cook recalls that the two had both dreamed of becoming comedians while growing up. McCauley eventually became a corrections officer, while Cook built a highly successful comedy career.
Cook now believes the full amount taken may never have been recovered.
“I do believe that there’s money out there,” Cook says in the documentary trailer. “I believe there’s people that know more.”
The documentary also follows Cook’s search for answers about what happened to McCauley after his release from prison.
“Where is he? What has he done? How does this end?” Cook asks in the trailer.
“Funny Money: The Dane Cook Story” will be available to stream on demand beginning Sept. 29.
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