Indian man faces 15 years in jail for stealing $50k while moonlighting in New York

A 39-year-old Indian-origin man has been arrested on charges of “grand larceny” following an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities alleged that Mehul Goswami exploited his position as a remote employee with the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) while simultaneously working a full-time job in Malta, resulting in the theft of more than $50,000 (approximately Rs 44 lakh) in state funds.

Goswami is currently facing up to 15 years in jail after being charged with grand larceny in the second degree.

According to the Offices of the New York State Inspector General, Goswami’s dual employment violated state regulations and misused taxpayer resources.

Inspector General Lucy Lang has commented on the severity of the alleged misconduct, stating, “Public employees are entrusted with the responsibility to serve with integrity, and Mr Goswami’s alleged conduct represents a serious breach of that trust.”

“Working a second, full-time job while claiming to be working for the State is an abuse of public resources, including taxpayer dollars,” Lang added.

On October 15, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office arrested Goswami for grand larceny in the second degree, which is a class C felony, CBS 6 reported.

New York’s updated law excludes Goswami’s charges from qualifying for bail.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Inspector General’s Office. The case underscores the ongoing commitment of state agencies to uphold accountability and integrity within public service.

“We truly value the relationships we have with our law enforcement partners. This is a perfect example of the power of collaboration, and we look forward to this case’s successful resolution in court,” CBS 6 quoted Lucy Lang as saying.

Goswami was listed as a project coordinator for the state who was paid $117,891 in 2024, according to SeethroughNY, a website that tracks the salaries of government workers in New York, according to a report in Times Union newspaper.

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