- By Ajeet Kumar
- Tue, 08 Apr 2025 12:31 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
An Indian-origin CEO was arrested in the United States after he was reportedly caught paying for sex at high-end brothels. According to a report by the New York Post, Anurag Bajpayee, who began his academic career at La Martiniere College in Lucknow, where he completed his Indian School Certificate in Science, has currently been associated with Gradient, a clean water startup worth over $1 billion. The report claimed that Bajpayee was among dozens of men in the Boston area who were named in court documents alleging they paid hundreds of dollars per hour for high-end sex work earlier in early 2025.
Company defends India-Origin CEO
This resulted in a resignation call from the office workers. However, the company came in defence of its CEO, with a weird response. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, Gradient said, " We believe in the justice system and are confident that this will resolve favourably in due course." "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," it added.
Paid $600 per hour for sex: Prosecutor
Notably, Anurag was not the only high-profile name who was caught taking services from high-end prostitution in the US. According to the report, among the most scandalous names on the list was Cambridge City Councilor Paul Toner, a married lawmaker who allegedly used the same illicit services as Bajpayee. Like Anurag, Toner had also faced similar calls for resignation. However, he remained in the post but apologised to the public and his loved ones.
"I caused pain for the people I care about most,' he said. 'For that, I will be forever sorry. This is an ongoing legal matter, and I will not have further comment at this time," he said in a statement.
Citing prosecutors, NYP said that the individuals are part of an elite clientele that includes the likes of public officials, government contractors, as well doctors and lawyers. The men paid up to $600 per hour for sexual encounters with predominately Asian women who were being exploited through sex trafficking, prosecutors allege.