Kelce Named Fraud Victim; Operator Sentenced 11 Years

A federal judge in St. Louis sentenced Siddharth Jawahar to 11 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for operating an investment fraud scheme that collected more than $35 million; he was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution. Prosecutors said Jawahar, who ran Swiftarc Capital and related entities, concentrated investors’ money in Philip Morris Pakistan, concealed losses, misrepresented investments and used newer investors’ funds to repay earlier ones. He also spent investor money on private jets, luxury travel, apartments, clubs, shopping and restaurants. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was identified in court as a victim and had reportedly invested in a Swiftarc fund, but his alleged losses and the precise connection to the scheme have not been disclosed; Kelce has not been accused of wrongdoing, and the Chiefs had not commented. Prosecutors said Jawahar sought leniency through a political consulting firm, supportive letters including one from Rep. Sam Graves, and a favorable article, but the judge imposed the 11-year sentence.