Leigha Simonton, United States Attorney, Northern District of Texas | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas
The owner of a school equipment distribution company has admitted to defrauding the Fort Worth Independent School District, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Chad Meacham.
Virenkumar Patel, aged 33 and owner of VR Group Promotions, was indicted in January and pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud on Wednesday.
Court documents reveal that in spring 2021, a principal from a Fort Worth ISD high school approached Mr. Patel to purchase planners, notepads, and flash drives. Aware that district policy required three quotes before making purchases, Mr. Patel created false quotes from competitors alongside one from his own company, VR Group Promotions, which quoted the lowest price. The principal chose VR Group’s quote of $18,287.
In winter 2022, another high school principal within Fort Worth ISD requested flash drives from Mr. Patel. Again, he fabricated two competitor quotes along with one from VR Group Promotions offering the lowest price. The principal selected VR Group’s $5,250 quote.
By spring 2023, the first high school's principal contacted Mr. Patel once more for headphones, wireless chargers, and power banks. As before, Mr. Patel created false competitor quotes and secured the contract with a $9,245 bid from VR Group Promotions.
Mr. Patel could face up to 30 years in federal prison for each count of wire fraud. His sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2025.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Dallas Field Office with Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl prosecuting the case.
