A Montgomery County man has been sentenced for his role in a vast visa fraud scheme. According to federal authorities, Vivek Savani, 37, of North Wales, Pennsylvania, admitted to participating in a scheme to obtain H1-B nonimmigrant work visas illegally.
In July, Savani pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit visa fraud, and on [sentencing date], he was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to 10 days’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, the first 60 days of which are served in home detention, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.
The scheme, which allegedly lasted over a decade, involved a multi-state network of dental practices and related businesses. Savani is not related to the Savani brothers, who were also charged in the racketeering conspiracy case.
Additionally, a New Jersey woman was sentenced for her role in the case. Susan Malpartida, 29, of Passaic, New Jersey, was sentenced to one year of probation, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment for conspiracy to obstruct justice.
Malpartida pleaded guilty in May to lying to a federal grand jury in an effort to thwart an investigation into serious visa fraud crimes allegedly committed at her employer, American Unity Dental.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in April 2025. The investigation into the Savani Group racketeering conspiracy is an ongoing effort by federal authorities.
The case was investigated by the FBI; the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General; IRS Criminal Investigation; Homeland Security Investigations; the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service; the Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigations; the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office; and the State of Iowa Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Assistant United States Attorneys Lesley Bonney, Kevin Jayne, and Anthony Scicchitano, and Department of Justice Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section Attorney Darrin McCollough, Senior Policy Advisor, are prosecuting the case.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant/Respondent: Vivek Savani
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Visa Fraud
- City and State: North Wales, Pennsylvania
- Exact Date: [sentencing date]
- Sentence: 10 days’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, the first 60 days of which are served in home detention, a $1,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment
Related Federal Cases
- Vivek Savani, Visa Fraud, Pennsylvania 2024 · New York
- Desmond Fodje Bobga, Covid-19-Related Fraud, Pennsylvania 2020 · New York
- Nicolae Sarbu, Bank Fraud and Identity Theft, New York 2015 · New York
- James Gomes, Wire Fraud, New Jersey 2024 · New Jersey
- Shawn Hilliard, Bank Fraud Scheme, Iowa 2023 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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