Travis Kelce (Getty Images)
Prosecutors said the scheme collected more than $35 million from investors over several years, while only about $10 million was actually invested. Kelce’s name surfaced during Jawahar’s September 15 sentencing hearing. Prosecutors said the scheme had 64 victims, while several professional athletes were among the investors connected to Swiftarc.
He was identified as one of the people who lost money through the scheme, and the precise amount connected to his investment has not been made public.
Much of the remaining money was used to maintain an expensive lifestyle, according to court filings. Jawahar, who operated the Texas-based Swiftarc Capital LLC, pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud. Importantly, there has been no allegation that the NFL star participated in the fraud. The case involved more than Kelce.
Kelce has also been linked to investments involving Six Flags and Formula 1’s Alpine team. Reports have previously said the brothers agreed to a deal worth more than $100 million with Wondery. His portfolio also includes Tru Kolors, the streetwear brand he launched in 2019, and an investment in Casa Azul Tequila Soda.
Jawahar misrepresented the performance of investments after putting a large portion of client funds into Philip Morris Pakistan, according to prosecutors. His commercial interests stretch into media as well, with the “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother Jason becoming a major entertainment property. When that investment declined, investors were allegedly given misleading information about the health of their money. These ventures have helped turn Kelce’s profile into something considerably broader than his NFL salary and endorsement income. Jawahar’s sentencing closes a major chapter in the case, but the financial fallout for investors could continue as restitution efforts move forward.
New investor funds were then used to pay earlier investors, a defining feature of a Ponzi scheme.