Apple terminates a number of Indian employees in US for misusing charity donation programme linked to Telugu Affiliation

Apple has reportedly terminated a number of staff of Indian origin in the USA for allegedly exploiting the corporate’s matching grants programme. The scheme permits Apple to match its staff’ charitable donations to qualifying organizations. Allegedly, some staff colluded with particular charitable organizations to manufacture donation data and redirect the matching funds again to themselves, a TOI report said.

Investigation and affected organizations

Though media stories instructed that as much as 185 staff had been impacted, this determine stays unconfirmed. The Telugu Affiliation of North America (TANA) has come underneath scrutiny in reference to the alleged misuse of company matching grants, together with these from Apple. In response to sources, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating TANA, alongside the Inner Income Service (IRS) and the Division of Justice (DOJ).

Court docket subpoena issued to TANA

The US District Court docket issued a subpoena to TANA on December 12, requiring the group to current grand jury testimony by December 26. Nevertheless, TANA reportedly obtained a one-month extension to conform. The subpoena calls for in depth documentation, together with donation data, monetary disbursements, and inside insurance policies on accounting and auditing from 2019 to 2024. It additionally seeks data of board conferences, subcommittee periods, and associated supplies.

Scope of the investigation

The court docket order specifies that TANA should present particulars of all donations obtained, together with company matching funds, in addition to the rationale and banking particulars for disbursements. Whereas the precise particulars of the probe stay unclear, sources point out that it varieties a part of a broader investigation into the potential misappropriation of company social accountability (CSR) matching grants.

Responses from key people

Makes an attempt to succeed in TANA’s president Niranjan Srungavarapu and common secretary and govt vice chairman Naren Kodali for feedback had been unsuccessful, as they’d not responded to inquiries on the time of publication.

Broader implications

The investigation highlights the dangers related to company matching grant programmes and the necessity for stringent oversight to forestall misuse. Apple has not but issued a public assertion relating to the matter.