Indian-Origin Man in US Faces 15-Year Prison Sentence For Moonlighting Fraud

Former NY State Employee Arrested for Grand Larceny, Stole $50,000 While Moonlighting
 

Mehul Goswami, an Indian-origin man working for the New York State Office of Information Technology, has been sentenced to 15 years in moonlighting fraud. The remote employee was caught working for another company located in Malta. 

He also allegedly stole $50,000 from the state funds. This case was investigated by the New York State Inspector General’s Office in cooperation with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office.

Breach of Public Trust and Grand Larceny Charge
 

The Indian-origin man, an associate director within the state's economic development agency, faces serious charges of grand larceny in the second degree and breach of public trust. Allegations against Goswami are made as he was caught involved with an unapproved secondary employment while serving as a public servant.

He is accused of stealing approximately $50,000 in state funds by secretly working for a private consulting firm. The individual allegedly performed this additional work during his official state work hours. This unauthorized employment, while being paid by the state, leads to the breach of public trust. As a result, charges of grand larceny are levied against him.

Moonlighting: A Growing Trend in the Remote Work Era
 

Moonlighting is a practice of working for secondary jobs after regular work hours and generally without taking any permission from the employer. It has become a significant topic of concern in the IT sector, especially when the remote work culture is prevalent. 

Companies like Infosys have already issued warnings against dual employment, stating that it can lead to contract termination depending on their Employee Handbook and Code of Conduct.

The firm has clearly stated that the practice of moonlighting is not permitted without their permission. Concerns from employers center around the potential for reduced productivity, conflicts of interest, and the risk of data breaches.

Despite corporate resistance, some experts have attributed low-entry-level salaries as the primary cause behind the rise of moonlighting in the tech industry. They say this allows employees to seek additional income.

An Indian-origin man in the US is sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment for grand larceny and breach of public trust. He is accused of stealing over $50,000 from the state funds by working for a separate full-time job while already being employed as a state associate director.