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$4 Million TANA fraud rocks Telugu community in US

On
$4 Million TANA fraud rocks Telugu community in US

The California District Court has issued a summons to the Telugu Association of North America (TANA)

The California District Court has issued a summons to the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) over allegations of financial misconduct involving $4 million. Srikant Polavarapu, the former treasurer of TANA, is accused of embezzling funds intended for community welfare. The case has triggered widespread concern within the Telugu community in the United States, raising questions about financial transparency and governance in nonprofit organizations. The allegations surfaced in late 2024, revealing that Polavarapu redirected funds to his company, Bruhath Technologies, over two years. Following these revelations,
 
Polavarapu resigned from his position, returning $1 million and pledging to repay the remaining $3 million by December 2024. However, dissatisfaction among TANA members remains, with growing calls for a full-scale investigation and stricter oversight. Court and FBI Investigations Intensify : The U.S. District Court in California has instructed TANA to provide extensive documentation, including financial records, meeting minutes, and donor information.
 
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken charge of the probe, seeking detailed records from individuals associated with TANA since 2019. Additionally, the court has demanded access to electronic and physical evidence, including mobile devices, call logs, and emails of key TANA officials. Evidence so far indicates that Polavarapu transferred nearly $3 million into his company’s accounts without obtaining approval during TANA meetings.
 
His email confession, in which he admitted full responsibility, serves as a crucial piece of evidence. TANA’s inability to identify these discrepancies earlier has sparked criticism over its financial management and accountability practices. The organization now faces immense pressure to rebuild trust within the community. Apple dismisses Telugu-origin employees : In a related controversy,
 
Apple has terminated several employees, some of whom are Telugu-speaking, for allegedly exploiting the company’s matching grants program. The fraudulent scheme, which ran from July 1, 2018, to April 6, 2021, cost Apple approximately $152,000. Apple’s internal audit, supported by data from the third-party platform Benevity, uncovered the scam. Employees reportedly created false donation records in collaboration with charitable organizations linked to the Indian community. The donations were then returned to the employees, enabling them to pocket both the original contributions and Apple’s matching funds.
 
Impact on the Telugu Diaspora : The twin scandals involving TANA and Apple have deeply affected the Telugu diaspora, which has historically played a significant role in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education in the U.S. TANA, founded in 1977, has long been a cornerstone of cultural and community initiatives for Telugu-speaking immigrants.
 
These revelations have eroded trust among donors and volunteers, leading to calls for greater transparency and accountability in nonprofit governance. As investigations continue, both TANA and the implicated employees face scrutiny that could have long-lasting implications for the Telugu community’s reputation. 
 
 
 
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