CONCORD – Imran Alrai, 50, of Windham, was recently convicted of wire fraud and money laundering that resulted in $6.7 million being taken from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

According to U.S. Attorney Jane Young, Alrai, owner of DigitalNet Technology Solutions, Inc., was contracted by the United Way to provide information technology services. When he was hired, Alrai failed to disclose that he owned the shell company. According to Bankrate.com, shell companies can be used to “evade taxes, launder money and hide the identities of their owners.”

From 2012 to 2018, Alrai received approximately $6.7 million for IT services supposedly provided by DigitalNet.

In February 2013, Alrai manipulated the bidding process for a three-year IT contract to ensure that DigitalNet would be selected. This was done by providing false references and false information about the company.

During the next five years, Alrai went on to become the United Way’s vice president of IT and received a yearly salary of $179,000. During that time, he directed a considerable amount of jobs to DigitalNet. As a result, the company became the United Way’s second-largest outside vendor, receiving $1.1 million per annum.

Alrai was terminated in June 2018 when United Way officials discovered his fraudulent activities.

While searching Alrai’s home, federal law enforcement agents seized a number of incriminating documents and approximately $2.2 million in fraudulent proceeds to bank and investment accounts. Federal agents also discovered that between November 2013 and May 2018, Alrai wired $1.2 million to a DigitalNet bank account in Lahore, Pakistan.

In December 2019, Alrai was convicted of 44 counts of wire fraud, money laundering and transportation of stolen property. However, he was granted a new trial in September 2021 after the court determined that the prosecution “failed to disclose evidence.”

Following his second trial earlier this month, Alrai was convicted on 12 counts of wire fraud and six counts of money laundering.

“The jury’s swift verdicts in this case underscores the overwhelming evidence presented at trial of Mr. Alrai’s guilt,” said Young. “Prosecutors skillfully untangled the web of the defendant’s deceit, highlighting for the jury how he used his position of trust to rig and maintain a major contract with United Way in favor of a company he owned and controlled. The United Way lost millions to the defendant – we hope the jury’s verdicts in this case is a step forward for their community.”

Jodi Cohen, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division, said this case clearly illustrated a history of chicanery on the part of Alrai.

“Imran Alrai abused his position of trust with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley to steal millions of dollars to which he knew he wasn’t entitled, money that was intended to help the less fortunate in our area. Instead, he used it to pay off his house, and increase his personal wealth,” she said Jodi Cohen. “The FBI is grateful for the jury’s swift verdict and we will not hesitate to investigate and bring to justice anyone engaged in such egregious financial fraud.”

Alrai faces a maximum penalty of 300 years in prison, 18 years of supervised release and $4.5 million in fines.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 17, 2025.