2026-02-08
From Unicorn To Uniform, Forbes 30 Under 30 Fraudsters
Forbes' annual "30 Under 30" list celebrates America's top young artists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders under 30, but some honorees have faced scandals or criminal issues, primarily linked to financeIn the last decade, several Forbes entrants were convicted of financial crimes. Here are six:Gokce Guven (30U30 list: 2025): The 26-year-old founder of fintech startup Kalder faces up to 52 years in prison for alleged $7 million in fraud.Sam Bankman-Fried (30U30 list: 2021) is currently serving a 25-year sentence after being convicted on multiple fraud-related charges tied to the implosion of FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange.Caroline Ellison (30U30 list: 2021), Bankman-Fried's co-conspirator, pleaded guilty to fraud in 2023 in relation to the FTX bankruptcy in 2022.Charlie Javice (30U30 list: 2019) was convicted of financial fraud and conspiracy in relation to her student financial aid application assistance company, Frank.Nate Paul (30U30 list: 2016), the founder of World Class Capital Group, was convicted of falsifying documents to obtain millions of dollars in loans he wouldn't have otherwise qualified for.Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos co-founder, did not appear in the 30 Under 30 list. However, she graced the cover of Forbes and was invited ...Full story available on Benzinga.com