CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (Diya TV) — A high-profile brothel investigation unfolding near Harvard University has rocked Boston’s business and political elite, drawing national attention as court documents name dozens of prominent figures—including Anurag Bajpayee, co-founder and CEO of billion-dollar water technology firm Gradiant.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the brothel operated out of luxury apartments in Cambridge, Watertown, and eastern Virginia, targeting high-income clients such as doctors, lawyers, politicians, and executives. Dubbed “The Cambridge Brothel Hearings,” the investigation alleges that clients paid up to $600 an hour for sex and the so-called “girlfriend experience,” often involving Asian women who may have been victims of sex trafficking.
Authorities say the brothel maintained meticulous records, requiring clients to submit personal references, work badges, and even government-issued identification before gaining access. Prosecutors have charged more than 30 individuals with misdemeanor offenses for allegedly buying sex, with more referrals expected as the investigation unfolds.
Among the most notable names is Bajpayee, a celebrated entrepreneur and climate tech leader. The Journal reports that Bajpayee “is alleged to have paid for sex at the brothel several times.” He was arrested as part of a broader sweep and now faces legal proceedings alongside a group that includes high-level professionals and Cambridge city councillor Paul Toner.
The revelations have sent shockwaves through both the tech industry and academic circles. Bajpayee, originally from Lucknow, India, co-founded Gradiant in 2013 with fellow MIT graduate Prakash Govindan. The company grew from their doctoral research into industrial desalination and sustainable water reuse—work that earned recognition from Scientific American as one of its “Top 10 World-Changing Ideas.” Bajpayee has also appeared on Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in the Energy category.
Despite the allegations, Gradiant is standing by its CEO. “We believe in the justice system and are confident that this will resolve favorably in due course,” said Felix Wang, a spokesperson for the company, in a statement to The Wall Street Journal. “Unrelated to this, Gradiant will continue to pursue excellence in technological innovation and to strive towards our mission to ensure clean water for all society.”
Bajpayee’s academic pedigree includes a Ph.D. and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and an undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri. His early education was completed at La Martiniere College in Lucknow, where he graduated in 2003.
Gradiant, which initially focused on energy-efficient desalination and brine concentration methods, has since expanded its offerings to comprehensive industrial water solutions. Under Bajpayee’s leadership, the company has grown into a global player with operations across North America, Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, serving sectors such as oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing.
While many figures linked to the brothel investigation have resigned from their posts or are facing public pressure to do so, Bajpayee remains at the helm of Gradiant. The company has not announced any changes in leadership or corporate governance related to the case.
The broader investigation continues to evolve. U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah Foley, quoted by The Wall Street Journal, said authorities referred at least 34 alleged buyers to Cambridge police and another batch to law enforcement in Virginia. Foley emphasized that the women involved are believed to be victims of trafficking, though their identities remain protected.
Legal proceedings for those charged, including Bajpayee, are expected to unfold in the coming weeks, shedding further light on one of the most high-profile sex trafficking investigations in Massachusetts in recent years
