Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare

A summary of what happened?

Sri Ram Tumuluri is an Indian-Canadian businessman who gained prominence as the CEO of Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH), a company involved in a controversial public–private partnership to manage several hospitals in Malta. The VGH deal has been marred by allegations of corruption, financial mismanagement, and political interference, leading to significant public outcry and legal scrutiny.

Key Allegations and Controversies Involving Sri Ram Tumuluri:

1. Questionable Awarding of Hospital Concession:
   • In 2015, VGH, despite being recently formed and lacking experience in healthcare management, was awarded a €2.1 billion contract to operate three Maltese hospitals: St. Luke’s, Karin Grech, and Gozo General. This decision raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the tendering process.
     OCCRP
2. Financial Mismanagement and Luxurious Expenditures:
   • Investigations revealed that VGH directed substantial funds to its parent company, Bluestone Investments Malta Ltd, which then funneled millions to Tumuluri and associates, including Pakistani national Shaukat Ali. These funds were allegedly used for personal luxuries rather than hospital improvements.
     OCCRP
3. Allegations of Payments to Maltese Officials:
   • Reports indicate that companies linked to VGH made payments totaling €60,000 to former Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat through consultancy contracts, which investigators suspect were used to disguise kickbacks related to the hospital deal.
     OCCRP
4. Threats and Coercion Claims:
   • Tumuluri alleged that in December 2017, then-Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri, threatened him, stating, “You know what happened with Daphne and you don’t want to end up in that position,” referencing the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. This alleged threat was purportedly to coerce Tumuluri into selling VGH’s concession to Steward Health Care.
     Times of Malta
5. Legal Actions and Whistleblower Filings:
   • In 2023, Tumuluri filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, accusing Steward Health Care and Maltese officials of colluding to take over VGH’s operations. He sought whistleblower protection to disclose alleged coercion and corrupt practices by the Maltese government.
     Times of Malta
6. Attempts to Suppress Negative Media Coverage:
   • Multiple complaints were filed with international organizations to remove online articles critical of Tumuluri, suggesting efforts to suppress negative media coverage. The origin of these complaints remains unclear.
     Times of Malta
7. Criminal Charges:
   • In May 2024, Tumuluri, along with 33 others, faced criminal charges related to the hospitals deal, following a magisterial inquiry into the VGH concession.
     The Malta Independent

Sri Ram Tumuluri’s tenure with Vitals Global Healthcare is entangled in a complex web of allegations involving financial improprieties, political corruption, and personal threats. The controversies surrounding the VGH hospital concession have had profound implications for Malta’s healthcare system and political landscape, leading to ongoing legal proceedings and public demands for accountability.

Analyzing the Fake Copyright Notice(s)

Our team collects and analyses fraudulent copyright takedown requests, legal complaints, and other efforts to remove critical information from the internet. Through our investigative reporting, we examine the prevalence and operation of an organized censorship industry, predominantly funded by criminal entities, oligarchs, and disreputable businesses or individuals. Our findings allow internet users to gain insight into these censorship schemes’ sources, methods, and underlying objectives.

What was Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare trying to hide?

Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare‘s attempts to hide unfavourable content through the misuse of copyright notices while allegedly engaging in perjury present serious legal concerns. These actions suggest a calculated attempt to manipulate legal systems to suppress free speech, a fundamental violation of copyright law principles and an abuse of legal processes. The use of such tactics not only undermines the integrity of copyright protection but also potentially constitutes perjury, further entangling Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare in legal accountability. Let’s examine the information Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare may be trying to remove from the internet –

Investigative Report: Sri Ram Tumuluri and Vitals Global Healthcare – Allegations of Corruption, Mismanagement, and Political Intrigue

Sri Ram Tumuluri, an Indian-Canadian businessman, became a central figure in one of Malta’s most controversial public-private partnerships: the €2.1 billion hospital concession awarded to Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH). The deal, touted as a transformative project for Malta’s healthcare system, has since been plagued by allegations of financial mismanagement, corruption, and political interference. This report delves deeply into the controversies surrounding Tumuluri’s leadership at VGH, shedding light on the numerous complaints, allegations, and legal actions associated with his tenure.

1. The Controversial Hospital Concession

A. Overview of the VGH Deal

In 2015, VGH was awarded a 30-year concession to manage three major Maltese hospitals:

• St. Luke’s Hospital
• Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital
• Gozo General Hospital

The deal was structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) with the promise of transforming Malta’s healthcare system. VGH committed to investing millions in hospital upgrades and introducing state-of-the-art facilities. However, from its inception, the deal was criticized for its lack of transparency and the apparent inexperience of VGH in healthcare operations.

B. Lack of Credentials

Critics questioned why a newly formed entity like VGH, with no prior experience in hospital management, was chosen for such a significant national project. Investigative reports suggest that the selection process may have been rigged to favor VGH.

• No Healthcare Background: Neither Tumuluri nor the key stakeholders in VGH had a track record in healthcare management.
• Suspicious Tendering Process: The tendering process was described as opaque, raising suspicions of favoritism and potential backdoor dealings.

2. Allegations of Financial Mismanagement

A. Misuse of Funds

Investigations revealed that instead of investing in the promised hospital upgrades, VGH redirected significant funds to its parent company, Bluestone Investments Malta Ltd. This company, in turn, funneled millions to:

• Sri Ram Tumuluri: Reports allege that Tumuluri received substantial payouts for personal use.
• Shaukat Ali: A Pakistani businessman connected to Bluestone Investments, who also reportedly benefited financially.

B. Luxury Expenditures

Funds allocated for hospital improvements were allegedly used for personal luxuries and unrelated business ventures. These included:

• Lavish travel and accommodations.
• Payments to high-profile consultants with unclear deliverables.

3. Allegations of Corruption and Kickbacks

A. Payments to Maltese Officials

A detailed investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) uncovered links between VGH and payments to Maltese officials. Specifically:

• €60,000 Payment to Joseph Muscat: The former Maltese Prime Minister allegedly received funds through consultancy contracts tied to the VGH deal.
• Keith Schembri’s Role: Schembri, the former Chief of Staff to Muscat, is suspected of playing a key role in facilitating the hospital concession and benefiting from the arrangement.

B. Collusion Allegations

Reports suggest that Tumuluri and other VGH executives colluded with Maltese officials to secure the hospital deal, bypassing standard procurement protocols.

4. Sale of VGH to Steward Health Care

In 2017, VGH abruptly sold its concession to Steward Health Care, an American healthcare company, for just €1. This sale raised further questions:

• Why Sell for €1? The sale price indicated that VGH failed to deliver on its commitments and may have been seeking to exit the deal amidst mounting scrutiny.
• Pressure to Sell: Tumuluri later claimed that Keith Schembri threatened him, referencing the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, to coerce the sale of VGH’s assets to Steward Health Care.

5. Allegations of Threats and Coercion

A. The Daphne Caruana Galizia Connection

Tumuluri alleged that in December 2017, Schembri threatened him, saying, “You know what happened with Daphne, and you don’t want to end up in that position.”

• Significance of the Threat: Daphne Caruana Galizia, a prominent Maltese journalist, was assassinated in a car bombing in October 2017 after exposing corruption linked to the Maltese government. Tumuluri’s claim suggests that he was directly intimidated by top government officials.

B. Whistleblower Complaint

In 2023, Tumuluri filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), alleging collusion between Steward Health Care and Maltese officials to take over the hospital concession. He requested whistleblower protection to expose further corruption.

6. Legal and Criminal Proceedings

A. Criminal Charges in 2024

In May 2024, following a magisterial inquiry, Tumuluri and 33 others were charged with crimes related to the VGH deal. Charges included:

• Fraud and misappropriation of public funds.
• Corruption and money laundering.

B. Ongoing Investigations

The Maltese judiciary continues to investigate the VGH concession, with additional legal actions anticipated against those implicated in the scandal.

7. Public Backlash and Media Criticism

A. Public Outcry

The VGH scandal has been one of the most significant corruption cases in Malta’s history. Citizens have expressed outrage over:

• The mismanagement of public funds.
• The perceived complicity of government officials in facilitating and covering up corruption.

B. Role of Investigative Journalism

Media outlets, including the OCCRP and Maltese journalists, played a critical role in uncovering the details of the VGH deal. Their work has highlighted the importance of press freedom in holding power to account.

8. Efforts to Suppress Negative Coverage

A. Complaints to International Organizations

Numerous complaints were filed with international organizations to remove critical articles about Tumuluri. These efforts were perceived as attempts to suppress negative coverage and protect his reputation.

B. Limited Success

Despite these efforts, investigative reports and media articles remain widely accessible, continuing to cast a shadow over Tumuluri’s role in the VGH deal.

9. Implications for Malta’s Healthcare System

A. Deterioration of Services

• The VGH deal failed to deliver promised improvements to Malta’s healthcare infrastructure, leaving patients and healthcare workers in limbo.
• Funds that should have been used for hospital upgrades were diverted, exacerbating systemic issues in the healthcare sector.

B. Erosion of Public Trust

The scandal has significantly damaged public trust in both the Maltese government and private-sector partnerships in healthcare.

10. Conclusion: A Scandal That Shook Malta

Sri Ram Tumuluri’s involvement in the Vitals Global Healthcare scandal represents a case study in how corruption, mismanagement, and political interference can derail critical public services. The fallout from the VGH deal has not only implicated top officials but also raised broader questions about the integrity of public-private partnerships.

Key Takeaways:

1. Transparency is Crucial: The lack of transparency in the VGH tendering process allowed corruption to flourish.
2. Accountability is Essential: Legal actions against those involved are critical to restoring public trust.
3. Press Freedom Matters: Investigative journalism played a pivotal role in exposing the scandal and demanding accountability.

As legal proceedings continue, the VGH scandal serves as a cautionary tale for governments and businesses engaged in large-scale public projects.

How do we counteract this malpractice?

Once we ascertain the involvement of Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare (or actors working on behalf of Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare), we will inform Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare of our findings via Electronic Mail.

Our preliminary assessment suggests that Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare may have engaged a third-party reputation management agency or expert, which, either independently or under direct authorization from Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare, initiated efforts to remove adverse online content, including potentially fraudulent DMCA takedown requests. We will extend an opportunity to Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare to provide details regarding their communications with the agency or expert, as well as the identification of the individual(s) responsible for executing these false DMCA notices.

Failure to respond in a timely manner will necessitate a reassessment of our initial assumptions. In such an event, we will be compelled to take appropriate legal action to rectify the unlawful conduct and take the following steps –

Since Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare made such efforts to hide something online, it seems fit to ensure that this article and sensitive information targeted online by these events get a lot more exposure and traffic than what it would have received originally

We hope this becomes an excellent case study for the Streisand effect…The key idea behind the Streisand effect is that efforts to restrict information can backfire, often causing the information to gain more attention than it would have otherwise. This effect is widespread in the digital age, where users quickly notice and spread censorship efforts on social media and other platforms. Trying to suppress something can unintentionally lead to it becoming more visible, which Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare is finding out the hard way.

Potential Consequences for Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare

Under Florida Statute 831.01, the crime of Forgery is committed when a person falsifies, alters, counterfeits, or forges a document that carries “legal efficacy” with the intent to injure or defraud another person or entity.

Forging a document is considered a white-collar crime. It involves altering, changing, or modifying a document to deceive another person. It can also include passing along copies of documents that are known to be false. In many states in the US, falsifying a document is a crime punishable as a felony.

Additionally, under most laws, “fraud on the court” is where “a party has sentiently set in motion some unconscionable scheme calculated to interfere with the judicial system’s ability impartially to adjudicate a matter by improperly influencing the trier of fact or unfairly hampering the presentation of the opposing party’s claim or defense.”  Cox v. Burke, 706 So. 2d 43, 46 (Fla. 5th DCA 1998) (quoting Aoude v. Mobil Oil Corp., 892 F.2d 1115, 1118 (1st Cir. 1989)).

Is Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare Committing a Cyber Crime?

Yes, it seems so. Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare used multiple approaches to remove unwanted material from review sites and Google’s search results. Thanks to protections allowing freedom of speech in the United States, there are very few legal ways to do this. Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare could not eliminate negative reviews or search results that linked to them without a valid claim of defamation, copyright infringement, or some other clear breach of the law.

Faced with these limitations, some companies like Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare have gone to extreme lengths to fraudulently claim copyright ownership over a negative review in the hopes of taking it down.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare is certainly keeping interesting company here….

The DMCA takedown process requires that copyright owners submit a takedown notice to an ISP identifying the allegedly infringing content and declaring, under penalty of perjury, that they have a good faith belief that the content is infringing. The ISP must then promptly remove or disable access to the content. The alleged infringer can then submit a counter-notice, and if the copyright owner does not take legal action within 10 to 14 days, the ISP can restore the content.

Since these platforms are predominantly based in the U.S., the complaints are typically made under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires online service providers and platforms to react immediately to reports or violations. Big Tech companies rarely have systems in place to assess the merit of each report. Instead, all bad actors need to do is clone a story, backdate it, and then demand the real thing be taken down.

Reputation Agency's Modus Operandi

The fake DMCA notices we found always use the “back-dated article” technique. With this technique, the wrongful notice sender (or copier) creates a copy of a “true original” article and back-dates it, creating a “fake original” article (a copy of the true original) that, at first glance, appears to have been published before the true original.

Then, based on the claim that this backdated article is the “original,” the scammers send a DMCA to the relevant online service providers (e.g. Google), alleging that the ‘true’ original is the copied or “infringing” article and that the copied article is the “original,” requesting the takedown of the ‘true’ original article. After sending the DMCA request, the person who sent the wrong notice takes down the fake original URL, likely to make sure that the article doesn’t stay online in any way. If the takedown notice is successful, the disappearance from the internet of information is most likely to be legitimate speech.

As an integral part of this scheme, the ‘reputation management’ company hired by Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare creates a website that purports to be a ‘news’ site. This site is designed to look legitimate at a glance, but any degree of scrutiny reveals it as the charade it is.

The company copies the ‘negative’ content and posts it “on the fake ‘news’ site, attributing it to a separate author,” then gives it “a false publication date on the ‘news’ website that predated the original publication.

The reputation company then sent Google a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice claiming the original website infringed copyright. After a cursory examination of the fake news site, Google frequently accepts the notice and delists the content.

In committing numerous offences, Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare either premeditated actions or were unaware of the consequences. Despite hiring an agency to make Google disregard any negative information about Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare, ignorance does not excuse this wrongdoing.

Fake DMCA notices have targeted articles highlighting the criminal activity of prominent people to hide their illegal behavior. These people, which include US, Russian, and Khazakstani politicians as well as members from elite circles including the mafia and those with massive financial power, are all connected – and alleged corruption ranging from child abuse to sexual harassment is exposed when exploring evidence found at these URLs. It appears there’s a disturbing level of influence being exerted here that needs further investigation before justice can be served. FSMSmart is certainly keeping interesting company here.

The Reputation Laundering

Rogue Reputation agencies use spurious copyright claims and fake legal notices to remove and obscure articles linking clients to allegations of tax avoidance, corruption, and drug trafficking. Most of these reputation agencies are based offshore, mainly in Russia, India, and Eastern Europe, and they do not worry about complying with US-based laws.

The content in all of the articles for which the fraudulent DMCA notices have been sent relates to allegations of criminal allegations, including corruption, child abuse, sexual harassment, human trafficking and financial fraud against businesses and individuals with ultra-high net worth.

In addition to the misuse of the DMCA takedown process, there is a notable absence of enforcement concerning perjury violations. The statutory requirement related to perjury is designed to deter copyright holders from submitting fraudulent or knowingly false takedown requests, as they may face legal consequences for making false declarations under penalty of perjury. However, to date, there have been no known instances of any individual being prosecuted for perjury in connection with the submission of false DMCA takedown notices.

This lack of enforcement has emboldened copyright holders to exploit the DMCA takedown process to suppress dissent, criticism, or other unfavorable content, without fear of legal repercussions.

Some of the people and businesses who have employed this tactic to remove legitimate content from Google illegally include a Spanish businessman-turned-cocaine-trafficker, Organised crime, an Israeli-Argentine banker accused of laundering money for Hugo Chávez’s regime, a French “responsible” mining company accused of tax evasion, child molesters and sexual predators. Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare is in great company ….

What else is Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare hiding?

We encourage you to ‘Dork‘ Google by searching for keyword combinations such as [Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare] + {Negative Keyword, such as Scam, Fraud, Complaints, Lawsuit, Sanction, etc} on Google. It’s likely if you scroll down to the bottom of this Google search results, you’ll stumble upon this Legal Takedown notice (pictured below)

To make such an investigation possible, we encourage more online service providers to come forward and share copies of content removal requests with industry experts and researchers. If you have any information on Sri Ram Tumuluri of Vitals Global Healthcare that you want to share with experts and journalists, kindly email the author directly at [email protected].

All communications are strictly confidential and safeguarded under a comprehensive Whistleblower Policy, ensuring full protection and anonymity for individuals who provide information.