iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
An Indian-origin owner of a company that distributed school swag, pleaded guilty to defrauding the Fort Worth Independent School District, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham.
Virenkumar Patel, the 33-year-old owner of VR Group Promotions, was indicted in January. He pleaded guilty Wednesday, February 19, to three counts of wire fraud.
According to court documents, Patel admitted that in the spring of 2021, the principal of a Fort Worth ISD high school told him she needed to purchase planners, notepads, and flash drives for the school.
Knowing that the district required principals to obtain three quotes before agreeing to purchase such items, Patel fabricated to quotes from competitors, along with a quote from VR Group Promotions, which quoted the lowest price.
Patel hand-delivered the quotes to the principal, who selected VR Group’s $18,287 quote.
In the winter of 2022, the principal of another Fort Worth ISD high school told Patel he needed to purchase flash drives. Patel again fabricated two competitor quotes, along with a quote from VR Group Promotions, which quoted the lowest price. The principal selected VR Group’s $5,250 quote.
In spring 2023, the principal of the first high school again contacted Patel, and told him that she needed to purchase headphones, wireless chargers, and power banks for the school. Once again, Patel fabricated competitor quotes, and once again, the principal selected VR Group Promotion’s $9,245 bid.
Patel now faces up to 30 years in federal prison per count. His sentencing hearing has been set for June 6, 2025, stated an official news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Dallas Field Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is prosecuting the case.
