A Lafayette man was sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison last week for his role in what the U.S. Department of Justice said is the biggest criminal fraud scheme in the history of the Eastern District of California.
Attorney Ari Lauer, 61, got 11 years and five months in prison for “giving legitimacy” as outside counsel to the company DC Solar, which defrauded investors.
Lauer pleaded guilty in October 2025 to one count of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, 12 counts of bank fraud, and 10 counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution…