NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into billionaire businessman Neville Roy Singham, focusing on possible foreign lobbying and tax law violations, according to multiple reports. The investigation is taking place in the Southern District of New York. However, Singham has not been charged with any crime.
The probe first examined possible violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, also known as FARA. Since then, investigators have expanded their work to include a criminal tax inquiry. According to reports, prosecutors are reviewing whether money moved through nonprofit organizations linked to Singham and whether tax filings for those groups contained false information.
The investigation was first reported by Fox News. CBS News later confirmed the existence of the federal probe through sources familiar with the matter.
Singham is the founder of the IT consulting company Thoughtworks. He sold the company to a private equity firm in 2017 for about $785 million. Around that time, he shifted many of his business activities to Shanghai, China. He is also married to Jodie Evans, the co-founder of the anti-war organization Code Pink.
In recent years, Singham has provided financial support to several progressive organizations. One of the largest recipients is the People’s Forum, a New York-based nonprofit that promotes issues affecting workers and marginalized communities. Reports have also said Singham contributed significant funding to Code Pink.
Meanwhile, reports by The New York Times and The Free Press alleged that Singham directed money through shell companies and other entities while promoting political messages favorable to Beijing. Those reports also claimed that Code Pink softened its criticism of China’s human rights record after receiving financial support. Singham has denied acting on behalf of the Chinese government.
“I categorically deny and repudiate any suggestion that I am a member of, work for, take orders from, or follow instructions of any political party or government or their representatives,” Singham told The New York Times in response to its reporting. He added that his public positions reflect his own personal beliefs.
So far, federal authorities have not announced any criminal charges. In addition, officials have not said whether the investigation will lead to an indictment. CBS News reported that it contacted Singham for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The case has drawn attention from Republican lawmakers over the past year. They have questioned whether Singham’s organizations promoted Chinese government interests in the United States. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., has argued that nonprofits linked to Singham may have connections to China. His committee has requested documents to examine possible coordination between those organizations and Chinese officials.
Likewise, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Charles Grassley previously urged the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate whether Code Pink and the People’s Forum should register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. That law requires people and organizations working on behalf of foreign governments to disclose their activities to the Justice Department.
Grassley wrote that available evidence suggested the two groups received funding and influence connected to Singham and the Chinese government. He argued that their activities could advance Beijing’s political interests. However, neither Code Pink nor the People’s Forum immediately responded to requests for comment.
The investigation comes as the Trump administration has increased its focus on progressive nonprofit organizations. At the same time, President Donald Trump is expected to deliver a national address discussing China’s alleged efforts to influence U.S. politics. However, a U.S. intelligence assessment released in March 2021 concluded with high confidence that China did not interfere in the 2020 presidential election. The report said Chinese officials considered influence efforts but ultimately chose not to carry them out.
Earlier this year, the Justice Department also brought charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center in a separate case involving alleged financial misconduct. In another unrelated matter, federal prosecutors in Chicago launched an investigation into a nonprofit associated with LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Hoffman has denied wrongdoing.
Notably, the Singham investigation began with possible FARA violations even though former Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a policy memo directing the Justice Department to reduce its focus on criminal enforcement of that law.
