NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Minneapolis, MN, February 19, 2026: A California-based Indian-origin executive has been found guilty of orchestrating a multi-year fraud scheme that cost his former employer more than $1.2 million, federal prosecutors announced.
Karan Gupta, 47, was convicted following a six-day jury trial in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis before Judge Kate M. Menendez. The jury found him guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, ten counts of wire fraud, and one count of money laundering conspiracy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gupta was a senior director of data analytics at Optum, a healthcare services company and subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, headquartered in Minnesota. At the peak of his career, Gupta earned more than $260,000 annually.
Fake hire, real salary
Prosecutors said the scheme began in 2015 when Gupta recruited and approved the hiring of a lifelong friend for a managerial data engineering role for which the individual was unqualified. Gupta provided a false résumé that helped the friend secure the position, and then became his supervisor.
For nearly four years, the friend performed no work at all while receiving a salary that started above $100,000 and increased over time through raises and bonuses. Authorities said the employee had minimal contact with the company, rarely sent emails, and often failed to log into his work computer for weeks at a time.
Kickbacks and concealment
In return, the friend paid Gupta more than half of his salary in kickbacks.
To conceal the payments, prosecutors said the two men used multiple methods. Initially, the friend — who lived in New Jersey — withdrew cash from his bank account and deposited it into Gupta’s bank branch in New Jersey, allowing Gupta to access the funds from California. Later, the friend opened a new account to receive direct deposits from Optum and sent Gupta the debit card, which Gupta used to withdraw cash from ATMs in California.
The fraud came to light after Gupta was terminated in November 2019 for a separate fraudulent activity discovered by the company. An internal investigation by Optum led to a referral to federal law enforcement.
Authorities said Gupta’s schemes cost the company more than $1.2 million.
U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said fraudulent schemes that exploit legitimate businesses must be prosecuted.
“Kickback schemes and no-show jobs undermine legitimate businesses, and the perpetrators must suffer the consequences of their actions,” Rosen said in a statement.
Rick Evanchec, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Minneapolis Field Office, said Gupta abused a position of trust for personal gain.
“The FBI is committed to holding those in positions of power accountable, particularly when the cost of their actions are ultimately passed along to hardworking Americans,” Evanchec said.
The case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew D. Forbes and Rebecca E. Kline prosecuted the case.
Gupta will be sentenced at a later date. Federal wire fraud and money laundering convictions can carry significant prison time, along with financial penalties and restitution.
