Dr. Harsha Sahni, a New Jersey physician, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and has permanently lost her medical license after exploiting two illegal immigrants as household servants. Sahni was convicted of harboring the women and forcing them to work for wages far below legal standards.
In February 2024, Sahni pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to harbor illegal aliens and filing a false tax return. Prosecutors revealed that she paid the women between $3,000 and $7,200 per year while threatening them with arrest and deportation to keep them silent.
Authorities reported that Sahni ordered the women to lie to immigration officials by claiming they were family members visiting the United States for tourism. Sahni also failed to disclose their employment on her tax returns, allowing her to avoid paying taxes and proper wages.
One of the women was reportedly forced to work from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. daily, earning between $240 and $600 each month. Most of her earnings were sent back to her family in India, underscoring the severe financial abuse.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin condemned Sahni’s actions, stating, “The revocation announced today brings closure to a disturbing case in which a physician sworn to uphold the highest standards of care and compassion exploited and abused vulnerable victims for her own financial gain.”
Cari Fais, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, also criticized Sahni’s behavior. “Sahni’s treatment of the women she illegally harbored as cheap labor for her and her family violated the most basic rules of the medical profession and caused her victims unimaginable suffering,” Fais said.
Dr. Sahni is set to begin serving her prison sentence soon, marking the end of her medical career and holding her accountable for exploiting vulnerable individuals for personal gain.
