A 39-year-old Indian-origin tech worker, Mehul Goswami, was arrested in New York for allegedly holding a second full-time job while working for the state government. Authorities claim he misused taxpayer funds by working for a private company during official hours.
Who Is Mehul Goswami?
Goswami worked as a project coordinator for the New York State Office of Information Technology Services (ITS). His 2024 salary was $117,891 (approx. ₹98 lakh). He reportedly began a second full-time role in March 2022 with GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor firm in Malta, New York, while still fulfilling his state duties. Investigators say his alleged actions caused the misuse of over $50,000 in taxpayer money.
How The Case Emerged?
The probe started after an anonymous tip suggested Goswami was working for a private company during his official hours. A joint investigation by the New York State Inspector General’s Office and Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office found that he was “double-dipping” on taxpayer time.
“Public employees are entrusted with the responsibility to serve with integrity, and Goswami’s alleged conduct represents a serious breach of that trust,” said Inspector General Lucy Lang. She added, “Working a second, full-time job while claiming to be working for the State is an abuse of public resources, including taxpayer dollars.”
Legal Action And Court Appearance
Goswami was arrested on October 15 and charged with grand larceny in the second degree, a Class C felony carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years. He appeared before Judge James A. Fauci at the Malta Town Court and was released without bail, as the offense does not qualify for bail under New York law.
Inspector General Lang said her office will continue collaborating with law enforcement to “hold anyone accountable who would undermine the integrity of public service in New York State.”
Debate Around Moonlighting
The case has reignited discussions about moonlighting — holding multiple jobs simultaneously. While some companies allow secondary employment, others warn that it can create ethical and productivity concerns, especially in government and sensitive tech positions.
