An Indian-origin man is facing up to 15 years in jail in the United States after being accused of "grand larceny" for allegedly working two full-time jobs simultaneously. Mehul Goswami, 39, a resident of Colonie, New York, was employed as a remote worker by the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS).

According to authorities, Goswami also began working full-time as a contractor for GlobalFoundries in Malta in March 2022. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office alleges that Goswami performed his duties for the semiconductor company during the same hours he was supposedly working for the New York state government. This resulted in him allegedly stealing more than $50,000 (approximately Rs 44 lakh) in state funds.

New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang commented on the case, stating that public employees are entrusted with serving with integrity, and Goswami's alleged actions represent a serious breach of that trust. She added that working a second full-time job while claiming to work for the state is an abuse of public resources, including taxpayer dollars.

Goswami was arrested on October 15 and charged with grand larceny in the second degree, a class C felony in New York. Under New York's updated laws, Goswami is not eligible for bail. He was arraigned and released on his own recognizance, with further legal proceedings pending.

According to reports, in 2024, Goswami held the position of Project Coordinator with the New York State Office and had an annual salary of $117,891 (approximately ₹98 lakh).

The arrest was the result of a joint effort between the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office and the New York State Inspector General. Inspector General Lang has reiterated her office's commitment to working with law enforcement partners to hold accountable anyone who undermines the integrity of public service in New York State.