Pearl Jam Rip-Off

PEARL JAMMED: A former executive with Pearl Jam has been charged with 33 counts of theft following allegations that he bilked the band for years. Prosecutors claim Rickey Charles Goodrich abused his powers as CFO for the group’s Curtis Inc. management company to embezzle $380k from 2006 until he was fired in Sept. 2010. Seattle police claim those thefts cost the band $566k, including investigative expenses. Goodrich, a 54-year-old resident of Navato, CA, is also alleged to have admitted to owing the band hundreds of thousands of dollars. In documents filed with King County Superior Court, Seattle Detective Stacy Litsjo noted Goodrich was hired by Pearl Jam Touring Co. in 2005 as the band’s accountant and financial officer. He was hired on at Curtis Inc. the following year, assuming control over all financial matters related to the band’s tours. Goodrich maintained access to the band’s touring money even while Pearl Jam changed business management. He has not yet entered a plea to the 25 counts of first-degree theft and eight counts of second-degree theft. (6/19p)