Tinton Falls Woman Admits Having Illegal Household Servants

TINTON FALLS, NJ — A Monmouth County medical doctor pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to harboring two undocumented women from India, and failing to pay taxes on their wages, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger announced.

Harsha Sahni, 66, who lives in Tinton Falls, recruited the women to work for her and her family in their multiple homes in New Jersey, said U.S. Attorneys.

Sahni paid the victims’ families in India in exchange for their labor; she did not pay the two women directly.

Instead, Sahni caused the victims to believe that they would be arrested and deported if they ever interacted with law enforcement.

Prosecutors say this went on from 2013 through August 2021.

Sahni also told the women to tell other people that they were related to Sahni, and Sahni used fake names and addresses for them.

Released by federal prosecutors, here is the criminal complaint against Dr. Sahni: https://content.govdelivery.co...

From 2013 to 2019, she also failed to pay certain taxes notwithstanding that the victims were Sahni’s household employees.pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to one count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens and one count of filing a false tax return.

As a part of the plea agreement, Sahni has agreed to pay the victims a combined $642,212 and has agreed to pay up to $200,000 towards the treatment of one of the victim’s brain aneurysm. Sahni has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.

She is facing up to 10 years in federal prison. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20.