A Massachusetts man was sentenced Friday in federal court for orchestrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme against the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley (United Way) while simultaneously working for the non-profit organization, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announced.
Imran Alrai, 51, Windham, was handed a 36-month prison sentence and one year of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph N. Laplante. The court also ordered Alrai to pay $2.3 million in restitution. This sentencing follows Alrai’s conviction in October 2024 on 12 counts of wire fraud and 6 counts of money laundering.
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According to evidence presented during the trial, between 2012 and June 2018, Alrai, who was employed as an IT professional at the United Way, fraudulently obtained approximately $6.7 million in payments for IT services purportedly provided by an external contractor, DigitalNet Technology Solutions, Inc. Alrai deliberately concealed his ownership and control of DigitalNet, misrepresenting key information about the company. Through DigitalNet, Alrai systematically overcharged the United Way for his own services.
The scheme involved a rigged bidding process in early 2013 for a significant managed IT services contract, which Alrai manipulated to ensure DigitalNet was selected. He further provided fabricated references and false information about DigitalNet to the United Way.
For the subsequent five years, while holding the position of Vice President for IT Services at the United Way, Alrai continued to steer additional IT work to DigitalNet. This allowed his company to become the United Way’s second-largest external vendor, receiving over $1 million annually. Alrai meticulously concealed his connection to DigitalNet from his colleagues, often sending emails with attached invoices from a fictitious individual to his own United Way email address.
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“For six years, the defendant carried out a calculated and sophisticated scheme to steal millions from a non-profit dedicated to uplifting our most vulnerable communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. “He exploited the organization’s trust, fabricating companies, employees, and invoices– all to line his own pockets at the expense of those the non-profit was meant to serve.”
The fraud was uncovered in June 2018, leading to Alrai’s termination after being confronted by United Way officials. Following this, federal agents executed search and seizure warrants at Alrai’s Windham home office, recovering incriminating documents and data. Authorities also seized approximately $2.2 million in fraud proceeds from Alrai’s bank and investment accounts.
“The usual reward of nonprofit work is personal fulfillment, not financial enrichment,” said James Crowley, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Imran Alrai, however, treated the United Way of Massachusetts and Merrimack Valley like his very own ATM, stealing millions of dollars and shortchanging their efforts and the community in the process. To anyone else engaged in a scheme like this, know that the FBI will work to shut you down and ensure you are held accountable for your actions.”
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Homeland Security Investigations New England Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Krol added, “Alrai’s ploy to enrich himself with millions of dollars stolen from an organization focused on improving the lives of those in need ended today. He used his technical expertise to craft an elaborate fraud scheme that went undetected for years, allowing him to siphon millions to fulfill his own greed. After today’s sentence, he’s finally facing the consequences of his crimes— a long term in federal prison.”
The investigation was jointly conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with valuable assistance provided by the Internal Revenue Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles L. Rombeau and John J. Kennedy.
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