FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING THE ARREST OF HARSH VARDHAN JAIN
Mr. Jain was an authorized representative engaging in unauthorized activities
Westarctica was originally founded in 2001 by American citizen Travis McHenry while he was working as an intelligence analyst in the United States Navy. Mr. McHenry later incorporated Westarctica as a charitable corporation in 2014 and it was granted 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in 2018. The organization's primary mission is advocacy for the environment of Western Antarctica, especially the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
In 2016, Mr. H.V. Jain made a generous donation to Westarctica and was subsequently invited to join our team of international volunteers who advance our environmental and charitable mission in their home countries. His official title was “Honorary Consul to India.” He was never granted the position or authority of “ambassador.”
During his recent arrest for fraud and other crimes, Mr. Jain was found to be in possession of diplomatic number plates, passports, and other items bearing the seal of Westarctica. As an Honorary Consul, he was not authorized to create these items. Westarctica, itself, does not utilize number plates or passports and we have never permitted or encouraged our representatives to do so themselves. By callin his home an “embassy,” Mr. Jain was in violation of Westarctica's protocol for our representatives.
As a result of his unauthorized activities, Mr. Jain has been indefinitely suspended as a representative of our organization. Our executive team is currently looking into the matter further, and our hearts go out to any individuals who were victimized by Mr. Jain. We will cooperate fully with the legal authorities in India.
We are also conducting a full audit of our Honorary Consular Corps to ensure that no similar "bad actors" are present among our ranks. This unfortunate event, while casting a shadow over Westarctica's important environmental advocacy work, does not represent the values or spirit of our organization.
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