USA: Apple has recently terminated 185 employees due to alleged misconduct related to its matching grants program. Media reports suggest that a significant number of the employees involved are of Indian origin, particularly from the Telugu community.

The employees, based at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, were dismissed for reportedly misappropriating funds tied to the company’s matching grants initiative and engaging in salary fraud. While Apple has not officially confirmed the layoffs, the issue has quickly gained widespread attention online.

Among those laid off, several individuals of Indian descent, including Telugu people, are said to be involved. Local authorities in the Bay Area have issued arrest warrants for six of the dismissed employees. Though these six individuals have not been publicly identified as Indians, reports indicate that a large proportion of those involved in the misconduct may be of Indian origin. It seems that some Telugu NGOs in the U.S. may also be linked to this issue.

How the Misuse Was Exposed

Apple’s matching grants program encourages employees to donate to non-profit organizations, with the company matching their contributions. However, some employees exploited this system by funneling donated funds into their own accounts through collaborations with certain charities.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office revealed that six individuals were involved in fraudulent activities amounting to approximately $152,000 over three years. They falsely claimed donations to two non-profit organizations, the American Chinese International Cultural Exchange (ACICE) and Hop4Kids. Those facing charges include Siu Kei (Alex) Kwon, Yathi (Hesson) Yuen, Yat Si (Sunny) Ng, Ventao (Victor) Li, Lichao Nie, and Zheng Chang.

FBI Expands Investigation to TANA

In addition to the Apple investigation, the FBI is now looking into the alleged misuse of matching grants by the Telugu Association of North America (TANA). According to reports from Times of India, a U.S. District Court has issued a subpoena to TANA as part of a broader investigation. The court ordered TANA to appear before a grand jury on December 26, and a one-month extension was granted. The court also instructed TANA to preserve documentation of donations, expenses, and other information from 2019 to 2024 for review.