On Thursday, a Chico man who had previously been convicted of embezzling from Chico State admitted to stealing from another local employer, this time an optometry practice where he had worked for almost six years.
Daniel Hicks, 47, pled no contest to grand theft by embezzlement in Butte County Superior Court. He elected to forego a preliminary hearing set in his case.
According to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey, Hicks was suspected of embezzling approximately $40,000 while working as an accounting and benefits coordinator at a Chico optometry practice between January 2019 and July 2025. However, further forensic accounting investigations have elevated the amount to around $100,000.
In July 2025, the business received an anonymous letter that revealed the theft. The letter requested the company to conduct a comprehensive background investigation on Hicks.
Ramsey stated that the background check indicated Hicks had a prior embezzlement conviction from Chico State in 2018. The company subsequently initiated a forensic investigation, which revealed significant inconsistencies between the cash obtained and the amounts Hicks reported depositing into corporate accounts.
Hicks was sacked from the optometry firm. The Chico Police Department then conducted a criminal investigation.
In the 2018 case, Hicks used debit card transactions to fraudulently move monies from Chico State to personal bank accounts. He was sentenced to three years of felony probation, 90 days in jail, a $2,250 fine, and $54,374 in restitution to Chico State.
Hicks did not make significant contributions toward the restitution owing to Chico State before his probation expired in 2021. The debt was reported to Central Collections with the Butte County treasurer, and the total amount outstanding has risen to $87,291, including the statutory interest.
Hicks is currently released on $100,000 bail. He is expected to appear in court for sentence on Wednesday, July 8, and faces up to three years in county jail.
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