Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a long‑time contract manufacturer and supplement brand owner based in Norcross, Georgia, and its CEO Jared Wheat have been convicted by a federal jury of wire fraud related to falsified Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance documents, along with money laundering tied to the scheme.

What Prosecutors Say Happened

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and trial coverage from industry outlets, the government laid out a years‑long pattern:

  • A 2010 third‑party audit of Hi-Tech reportedly found serious GMP failures across dozens of categories, including contamination risk, poor facility conditions and inadequate testing.

  • Rather than fixing those issues, Hi-Tech allegedly created a shell entity that appeared to be an independent auditor and used it to generate falsified GMP certificates.

  • Prosecutors say Hi-Tech forged signatures and altered the original audit report to make it look like the facility met required standards.

  • Those documents were then used between 2011 and 2013 to reassure customers and foreign regulators, helping Hi-Tech secure business and export approvals.

Customers who relied on the fake certifications allegedly paid at least $4.7 million to Hi-Tech during the period in question.

The Verdict and Potential Penalties

After a six‑week trial, the jury returned guilty verdicts on:

  • Wire fraud counts against both Hi-Tech and Jared Wheat

  • Money laundering counts against the company for moving proceeds from the scheme

Wheat, who already had two prior federal felony convictions, now faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge, plus potential supervised release and restitution.

Hi-Tech itself faces:

  • Millions in potential fines—coverage has pointed to an upper range near $10 million, depending on sentencing.

  • Possible probation and strict oversight conditions going forward.

Sentencing will be scheduled in a future hearing.

Why This Case Has the Industry’s Attention

Hi-Tech sits at an important junction in the supplement world:

  • It’s both a contract manufacturer for other brands and the owner of multiple consumer‑facing labels.

  • GMP compliance is a foundational requirement for anyone producing dietary supplements at scale.

So when a company of this size is accused—and now convicted—of faking compliance paperwork instead of fixing problems, it sends a clear message to brands and retailers who rely on contract manufacturers to get things right.

For consumers and brand owners, the case underscores a few realities:

  • “GMP compliant” means nothing if the documentation can’t be trusted.

  • Third‑party audits and transparent manufacturing relationships are no longer “nice to haves.”

  • Reputational damage from this kind of case can ripple out to any brand associated with the facility.

Final Take

The Hi-Tech verdict is one of the most serious federal cases the supplement industry has seen around manufacturing standards. It’s a reminder that shortcuts on compliance aren’t just a label issue—they can become a criminal issue.

If you’re a brand owner, this is your cue to double‑check where your formulas are made and how those facilities prove they meet the rules. If you’re a consumer, it’s one more reason to support companies that over‑communicate about their manufacturing partners and testing, not just their flavors.

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