Firoze Kohli

Full Report

Key Points

• Firoze Kohli, a 27-year-old graduate student at Boston College, was arrested on October 2, 2024, in Brookline, Massachusetts, for alleged possession and dissemination of child sex abuse materials.
• The investigation was initiated following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, prompted by MediaLab, the parent company of the messaging app Kik.
• Kohli faces charges of possessing child pornography and disseminating obscene matter, with additional charges possible as the investigation continues.
• Boston College has suspended Kohli pending the resolution of court proceedings.
• Prior to his arrest, Kohli held roles in marketing, social media, and business development, including positions at Petco, PR Pundit, and Vanta.GG, and was involved in his family’s healthcare business in India.
• Limited public customer or consumer feedback is available due to Kohli’s status as an individual rather than a business entity.

Overview

Firoze Kohli is a second-year MBA and Master of Science in Finance (MSF) candidate at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, pursuing a dual-degree program with a focus on strategy, marketing, and finance. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Northeastern University. Kohli has a professional background in marketing and business development, with experience in the United States and India.

Before his arrest, Kohli worked as a Social Media and Content team member at Petco in San Diego, where he was praised for his reliability and maturity. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned to India to assist in expanding his family’s healthcare business, launching a healthcare-at-home service and strengthening B2B operations. Concurrently, he served as a Senior Marketing Associate at PR Pundit (Havas Red Group), where he developed award-winning social media campaigns. At Boston College, Kohli held leadership roles, including Vice President of Community Service for the Graduate Management Association and Marketing Lead for the Graduate Intrapreneurship/Entrepreneurship Association (IntEnt). He also served as Business Development Lead at Vanta.GG, a youth esports platform, where he devised go-to-market strategies and built partnerships.

Kohli’s arrest in October 2024 has significantly altered his public profile, shifting focus from his academic and professional achievements to serious criminal allegations.

Allegations and Concerns

• Criminal Charges: Kohli was arrested on October 2, 2024, following a court-authorized search of an apartment on Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline, Massachusetts. He faces charges of possessing child pornography and disseminating obscene matter. The investigation began with a tip from MediaLab, the parent company of the Kik messaging app, to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which was then passed to Brookline police. Officers reportedly found items appearing to be child sex abuse material and seized several electronic devices.
• Ongoing Investigation: Brookline police have indicated that additional charges are possible as the investigation progresses. The involvement of Boston police and FBI agents suggests the case may have broader implications.
• University Suspension: Boston College issued a summary suspension of Kohli, effective until the resolution of court proceedings, indicating a significant institutional response to the allegations.
• Lack of Legal Representation Details: As of the latest reports, it is unclear whether Kohli has retained an attorney to address the charges, which may complicate his defense.

Customer Feedback

As Firoze Kohli is an individual, not a business, traditional customer reviews are not applicable. However, professional feedback from colleagues and associates provides insight into his reputation prior to the arrest:

• Positive Feedback:
  • A colleague at Petco described Kohli as an “MVP” during his internship, noting, “He was not only smart, reliable, and a fast learner but he was excellent to work with and a great team member. The common comment about Firoze was that people were frequently surprised to learn that he was an intern, which speaks to his maturity, intelligence, and presence.”
  • Another Petco associate praised his contributions to the Social Media & Content team, stating, “Firoze arrived eager to learn and contribute, while already bursting with ideas to take our efforts to the next level. His appetite to build his knowledge and skills and his great attitude will make him a strong asset in his future endeavors.”
• Negative Feedback:
  • No direct negative professional feedback was found in available sources prior to the arrest. However, the serious nature of the criminal allegations has likely damaged his professional reputation, though specific public or professional criticism post-arrest is not documented in the provided sources.
• Consumer Context: Given Kohli’s roles in marketing and business development, his work indirectly influenced customer-facing campaigns (e.g., at Petco and PR Pundit). No specific consumer complaints or reviews tied to his contributions were identified.

Risk Considerations

• Reputational Risk: The allegations of possessing and disseminating child sex abuse materials are highly damaging to Kohli’s personal and professional reputation. His suspension from Boston College and the public nature of the arrest are likely to hinder future academic and career opportunities.
• Legal Risk: The charges of possessing child pornography and disseminating obscene matter carry significant legal consequences, including potential imprisonment and registration as a sex offender if convicted. The ongoing investigation and possibility of additional charges increase this risk.
• Financial Risk: Legal fees, potential fines, and loss of income due to suspension and damaged employability pose financial challenges. Kohli’s prior involvement in his family’s healthcare business may provide some financial support, but this is speculative.
• Social and Professional Isolation: Kohli’s leadership roles at Boston College and professional networks (e.g., Petco, Vanta.GG) are likely severed or strained, limiting his access to future opportunities in marketing, finance, or related fields.
• Broader Implications: The involvement of federal agencies (FBI) suggests the case may have connections to larger investigations, potentially increasing scrutiny and risk.

Business Relations and Associations

• Boston College: Kohli was a graduate student in the Carroll School of Management, serving as Vice President of Community Service for the Graduate Management Association and Marketing Lead for IntEnt. His suspension indicates a severance of these ties pending legal outcomes.
• Petco: Kohli worked on the Social Media and Content team in San Diego, receiving positive feedback for his contributions. There is no indication of ongoing ties post-employment.
• PR Pundit (Havas Red Group): As a Senior Marketing Associate in India, Kohli developed social media campaigns. This role ended before his return to the U.S. for graduate studies.
• Vanta.GG: Kohli served as Business Development Lead for this youth esports platform, focusing on go-to-market strategies and partnerships. No current affiliation is noted.
• Family Healthcare Business: In 2020, Kohli returned to India to expand his family’s healthcare business, launching a healthcare-at-home service. The business’s name and current status are not specified in available sources.
• Other Associations: Kohli attended the 2024 National Black MBA Association Conference and the AFFIRM 2024 event, indicating engagement in professional networking. These connections are likely impacted by his arrest.

Legal and Financial Concerns

• Criminal Charges: Kohli faces charges of possessing child pornography and disseminating obscene matter, with a court appearance scheduled for October 3, 2024, at Brookline District Court. The investigation remains active, with potential for additional charges.
• University Suspension: Boston College’s summary suspension is a non-financial but significant consequence, limiting Kohli’s access to academic resources and networks.
• No Bankruptcy or Debt Records: No public records indicate unpaid debts or bankruptcy filings associated with Kohli.
• Legal Representation: It is unclear whether Kohli has secured legal representation, which could impact his ability to navigate the charges effectively.
• Financial Impact: While no specific financial losses are documented, the costs of legal defense and potential fines could be substantial. Loss of professional opportunities further exacerbates financial risk.

Risk Assessment Table

Firoze Kohli, a 27-year-old graduate student at Boston College, faces serious criminal charges for possession and dissemination of child sex abuse materials, resulting in significant legal, reputational, and professional risks. Prior to his arrest, Kohli had a strong academic and professional record, including leadership roles at Boston College and experience in marketing and business development with companies like Petco, PR Pundit, and Vanta.GG, as well as involvement in his family’s healthcare business in India. The arrest has led to his suspension from the university and likely severed ties with professional networks, severely damaging his credibility and future career prospects. The legal consequences, including potential imprisonment, fines, and mandatory registration as a sex offender, pose substantial financial and social risks. While his past performance was positively recognized, the severity of the allegations has overshadowed these accomplishments, and any association with him should be avoided until the ongoing investigation and court proceedings are resolved.