A scene from the courtroom highlighting the impact of the fraud case.
Samuel N. Montronde from Brockton, Massachusetts has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that defrauded Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. of $2.3 million. Montronde and his girlfriend created a fake consulting company to submit fabricated invoices for nonexistent services. The couple’s deception led to significant legal consequences, including hefty restitution payments and prison sentences.
In a shocking turn of events, 39-year-old Samuel N. Montronde from Brockton, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a staggering $2.3 million fraud against the well-known Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. While this story might sound like a plot from a movie, it’s all too real and a cautionary tale for anyone contemplating stepping outside the boundaries of lawful conduct.
Montronde, along with his girlfriend, Priya Bhambi, orchestrated a rather elaborate scheme by establishing a fake consulting company called Evoluzione Consulting LLC. Their goal? To defraud Takeda by billing them for nonexistent consulting services. Between March and May 2022, the couple submitted fabricated invoices to Takeda for services that were never provided. In December 2023, after a careful investigation, Montronde was found guilty by a federal jury on three counts of wire fraud.
It should come as no surprise that Bhambi played a significant role in this deceitful operation. Once a senior employee at Takeda, she brought her insider knowledge to the table, helping to weave a web of lies that included a fictional employee named “Jasmine” to further mislead the pharmaceutical giant. In a flash of irony, while Montronde was acquitted on one count of conspiracy, Bhambi later pleaded guilty in October 2024 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as well as three counts of wire fraud.
For her actions, Bhambi was sentenced to 46 months in prison, in addition to two years of supervised release. As part of her penalty, she was also ordered to pay a hefty sum of $2,585,480 in restitution. Both Montronde and Bhambi mishandled substantial funds gained through their fraudulent activities, which were later traced back to extravagant purchases they made, such as a Mercedes-Benz Model Class E and a luxurious $1.9 million condo located in Boston’s Seaport District. They even allocated a shocking $50,000 deposit toward a wedding venue using these stolen funds.
It’s important to note that Takeda, initially oblivious to the couple’s deceptive strategy, paid all five fraudulent invoices before uncovering the truth. The fraud was brought to light primarily due to the false representations made by Bhambi, prompting an official investigation. The severity of the scheme, combined with the fallout, shows how quickly things can spiral out of control.
Finally receiving his sentence, Montronde learned that he would not only serve time behind bars but was also ordered to pay $2.3 million in restitution to Takeda. The court, presided over by U.S. District Court Chief Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV, issued a forfeiture order for the lavish assets acquired through their fraudulent means, underscoring the seriousness of these crimes.
This case serves as a significant reminder of the potential consequences that can arise from fraudulent activities. Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie Wright and Mackenzie Queenin, the situation highlights how serious financial crimes can lead to severe penalties, eventually affecting lives and communities. In the wake of this astounding revelation, we can only hope that others take heed and recognize that no scheme is worth the risk of losing everything.
News Summary Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Michael Caljouw has rejected a proposed 7.1% increase in workers'…
News Summary A poignant memorial took place in Boston Harbor as Man-Hee scattered the ashes…
News Summary Boston will be hosting a significant meeting focusing on the stock performance of…
News Summary The Massachusetts Legislature has approved a sales tax holiday for August 9 and…
News Summary As Boston gets ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, major economic benefits…
News Summary The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) has issued a warning about a…