Jared Wheat, CEO of Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and his company have been convicted by a federal jury in Atlanta for wire fraud and money laundering. The convictions followed a six-week trial that revealed the company fabricated documents to deceive customers into believing it was certified as compliant with industry manufacturing standards.
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, based in Norcross, Georgia, was found to have forged certificates claiming compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). These certificates were purportedly issued by an independent third-party audit company but were actually created by Wheat and his associates. The fraudulent activity resulted in the company receiving over $4.7 million from customers who relied on these documents.
“After two prior federal felony convictions, Wheat yet again put profits over product quality and consumer safety by forging documents purporting to show that an independent, third-party audit company had certified Hi-Tech as complying with Good Manufacturing Practices. As a result of the defendants’ deceit, Hi-Tech received millions of dollars from customers who relied on the fabricated documents,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “The defendants’ fraudulent scheme was uncovered through years of dedicated investigation and collaboration among law enforcement partners, and the verdict signals that companies that lie will face stern consequences.”
“Making fraudulent claims about FDA-regulated products shows a reckless disregard for public health and safety,” said Food and Drug Administration Office of Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent in Charge Kelly McCoy. “We remain committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who misrepresent key aspects of their products to unsuspecting customers.”
“Hi-Tech’s conviction for money laundering provides the expected outcome for any business engaging in this illegal activity,” said Demetrius Hardeman, Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents are experts at following the money to uncover the various money laundering schemes carried out by business entities or criminals to hide illegal profits, including their use of layering, cyber laundering, and shell companies.”
Wheat is the founder and owner of Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, which claims annual revenues of $100 million. In 2007, new FDA rules established mandatory sanitary and production standards for dietary supplement companies under GMP guidelines. While the FDA does not certify compliance with these standards directly, many manufacturers seek certification from independent auditors.
In November 2010, Hi-Tech hired a reputable third-party auditor whose inspection found significant deficiencies—75 categories failed GMP criteria—such as facility gaps allowing rodent entry and inadequate product testing procedures. Instead of addressing these issues, Wheat created a fake certificate from “PharmaTech Consulting,” listing one of his former attorneys as General Manager without disclosure that PharmaTech was owned by Wheat himself.
The company also altered legitimate audit reports to appear favorable under PharmaTech’s name after changing all non-compliant categories to “Acceptable.” Additionally, Hi-Tech falsified FDA export certificates known as Certificates of Free Sale by altering dates and product names.
Between 2011 and 2013, these fraudulent certifications were sent repeatedly to customers; some forwarded them to foreign regulators enabling international sales based on false documentation. During this period alone customers paid more than $4.7 million for Hi-Tech products based on these misrepresentations.
On November 21, 2025 Jared Wheat was convicted on charges including wire fraud; he faces up to 20 years imprisonment plus three years supervised release. His previous convictions include drug trafficking conspiracy (1991) in Alabama federal court and conspiracy involving mail/wire fraud (2009) in Georgia federal court.
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals was also convicted on multiple counts: wire fraud conspiracy; wire fraud; money laundering conspiracy; money laundering—with potential fines up to twice criminal proceeds (nearly $10 million) plus probation up to five years pending sentencing before Judge Amy Totenberg.
The case was investigated jointly by FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations and IRS Criminal Investigation division; prosecution is led by First Assistant United States Attorney Nathan P. Kitchens alongside Assistant United States Attorney Kelly K. Connors with support from FDA’s Chief Counsel office.
For further information contact U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016 or visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
