Overview
- U.S. District Judge Zachary M. Bluestone sentenced Siddharth Jawahar to 11 years in prison and ordered about $31.35 million in restitution on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026.
- Prosecutors say Jawahar raised more than $35 million from investors between 2016 and 2023 but invested only about $10 million and funneled roughly 99% of client funds into Philip Morris Pakistan.
- Federal filings and court remarks described the operation as a Ponzi-style scheme that used money from new investors to pay earlier clients while concealing losses.
- Prosecutors identified Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as one of the victims during sentencing but declined to disclose individual losses and Kelce has not publicly commented.
- Court records allege Jawahar tried to obstruct the probe by coaching a victim and seeking to wipe a phone, and sought outside help to influence sentencing; victims must now pursue restitution through the claims process and Jawahar may face deportation after serving his term.