NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Boston, MA, April 10, 2025: Anurag Bajpayee, the Indian-origin CEO of billion-dollar clean water technology firm Gradiant, has been arrested in a major prostitution sting targeting high-end brothels operating in Boston and northern Virginia. The case has drawn national attention due to the involvement of prominent business leaders, public officials, and professionals across sectors.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the arrests of three individuals—Han Lee, James Lee, and Junmyung Lee—who allegedly operated a sophisticated network of luxury brothels from upscale apartments in Cambridge and Watertown, Massachusetts, as well as Fairfax and Tysons, Virginia. The operation primarily exploited Asian women, many of whom were coerced into traveling interstate to engage in illegal sex work.
Federal authorities say the brothels ran like a business enterprise. Clients were vetted extensively and required to provide full names, employment details, references, and even LinkedIn profiles. Advertisements for the services appeared on niche websites such as bostontopten10.com and browneyesgirlsva.blog, with hourly rates ranging from $350 to over $600.
Dr. Bajpayee, who co-founded Gradiant out of MIT and built it into a global leader in water purification technology, was identified among the clients in the ongoing federal probe. His arrest has shocked the clean tech industry, though Gradiant has expressed confidence in the legal process and reiterated its commitment to its mission.
“Dr. Bajpayee has been a visionary leader for Gradiant, and we support him as he addresses these allegations,” the company said in a statement. “We remain focused on delivering clean water solutions to the world.”
Others named in the sting include Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner and biotech executive Jonathan Lanfear. The scandal has prompted resignations and raised ethical concerns about the conduct of public and corporate figures.
The brothel operators, Han Lee and Junmyung Lee, have pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to coerce and entice individuals to travel for illegal sexual activity and are awaiting sentencing. The third defendant, James Lee, is facing trial.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to identify and prosecute sex buyers. The case marks a shift in how federal agencies are addressing human trafficking—focusing not just on traffickers, but also on the demand side.
U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy emphasized the broader implications of the sting: “This case reveals how exploitation is sustained by people in positions of privilege. We are committed to holding accountable those who fuel the market for trafficking.”
