Siddharth Jawahar, who ran Swiftarc Capital LLC, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud. Prosecutors say he took in more than $35 million from investors, invested roughly $10 million, and used the rest to pay earlier investors and fund a lavish lifestyle. Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was named in court as a victim; no additional details were disclosed. The judge cited the scale, duration and Jawahar's failure to start restitution as key factors in the sentence.
Investment Adviser Behind Ponzi Scheme That Targeted Travis Kelce Sentenced to 11 Years, Ordered to Pay $31.35M
Investment adviser who defrauded NFL's Travis Kelce sentenced to 11 years in prison
Siddharth Jawahar, a Texas-based investment adviser who operated Swiftarc Capital LLC, has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution after pleading guilty to three counts of wire fraud, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.
Prosecutors say Jawahar ran a Ponzi-style scheme that collected more than $35 million from investors but invested only about $10 million. Beginning in 2015, he concentrated client funds into a single investment vehicle, Philip Morris Pakistan (PMP), at one point consolidating roughly 99% of client assets into that holding. When PMP's value declined, authorities say, Jawahar concealed losses and falsely reported profits to his clients.
Judge's Rationale and Victim Impact
U.S. District Judge Zachary Bluestone highlighted the scale and duration of the fraud, calling the losses "enormous" and noting that Jawahar had "weaponized" investors' trust. The judge also emphasized that Jawahar's failure to begin repaying victims weighed heavily in the sentencing decision.
Charlie Riedel/AP Photo - PHOTO: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sept. 14, 2026, in Kansas City, Mo.
Allegations of Obstruction and Lavish Spending
According to prosecutors, Jawahar used investor funds to pay earlier investors and to support an extravagant lifestyle that included private-jet travel, luxury-hotel stays, upscale apartments in Austin and New York City, memberships at exclusive clubs, costly shopping sprees and expensive restaurant outings. After his indictment, authorities allege he attempted to obstruct the investigation by coaching a victim to give a favorable statement to the FBI, lying about his immigration status and finances, and asking his sister to remotely wipe his iPhone to remove evidence.
Prosecutors also say Jawahar, an Indian native who has lived in the U.S. without authorization since 2005, solicited more than $35 million from Swiftarc clients while investing only about $10 million of those funds.
High-Profile Victim Identified
During sentencing, St. Louis ABC affiliate KMOV reported that Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was identified in court as a victim; court records and coverage provided no further details about the extent of his losses. ABC News has reached out for comment from Kelce's representatives.
"Sid Jawahar is a very good man, who has made some very serious mistakes and is taking ownership of all of it," Jawahar's attorney told ABC News, adding that Jawahar has worked from jail to recoup funds for victims and to help other inmates.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said the restitution order was announced alongside the prison sentence. The case underscores the risks when advisers concentrate client capital in a single, opaque holding and the severe penalties federal prosecutors pursue in large-scale investment frauds.
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