By: Yuritza Arroyo
Federal authorities announced that a Monmouth County doctor pleaded guilty today to harboring two undocumented women from India and failing to pay taxes on their wages.
According to officials, Harsha Sahni, 66, of Tinton Falls, pleaded guilty in Trenton federal court to an information charging her with one count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens and one count of filing a false tax return. Court documents state from 2013 through August 2021, Sahni conspired with others to conceal and harbor two foreign nationals from India, who Sahni recruited to work for Sahni and her family in their homes in New Jersey.
Sahni harbored the victims for her and her conspirators’ financial gain and paid the victims’ families in India in exchange for their labor.
According to authorities, Sahni caused the victims to believe that they would be arrested and deported if they interacted with law enforcement.
Authorities say Sahni instructed the victims to tell other people they were related to Sahni, and Sahni used fake names and addresses to further the conspiracy.
From 2013 to 2019, Sahni also failed to pay certain taxes, notwithstanding that the victims were Sahni’s household employees.
According to officials, as a part of the plea agreement, Sahni has agreed to pay the victims a combined $642,212 and has agreed to pay up to $200,000 towards the treatment of one of the victim’s brain aneurysm.
Sahni has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.
Federal officials say the count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or other proceeds to Sahni, whichever is greatest.
The count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 20, 2023.