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Kickback Scheme Exposed in Brooklyn Non-Profit
Four individuals, including Gary DSilva, also known as Pankaj DSilva, and Jonathan Velazquez, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery in a superseding indictment unsealed earlier today in federal court in Brooklyn.
The indictment alleges that the defendants received kickbacks from Pradeep Nigam in exchange for steering business to a vendor owned by Nigam, worth millions of dollars. The kickbacks were allegedly received for installing and/or replacing security cameras at homeless shelters operated by the non-profit organization.
According to the indictment, DSilva and Velazquez, employees of the non-profit organization, received approximately $500,000 in kickbacks from Luis A. Camarena in return for steering contracts worth approximately $1.6 million to Camarena’s company, Vendor 1.
The indictment details two schemes in which DSilva and Velazquez received kickbacks for steering contracts to specific vendors. DSilva, Velazquez, and Camarena had been charged in a previous indictment unsealed on November 21, 2024, for their roles in a similar scheme.
Nigam surrendered to authorities earlier today and will be arraigned this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. DSilva, Velazquez, and Camarena will be arraigned at a later date.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. stated, ‘As alleged, DSilva, Velazsquez, and Nigam set up a secret side deal with Nigam and awarded Nigam business contracts worth millions of dollars that provided essential information-technology services to homeless shelters in return for illegal kickbacks.’
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, with assistance from the New York City Department of Investigation.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant Gary DSilva, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bribery, wire fraud, federal-program bribery, money laundering conspiracies, Brooklyn, New York, January 8, 2026, charges pending.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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