Former Wellness CEO Accused of Misappropriating $2.5 Million Investment

Federal prosecutors have accused Wanja Oberhof, a former CEO linked to Deepak Chopra's wellness ventures, of misappropriating a $2.5 million investment. The funds, provided by Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Siemens, were allegedly diverted for personal use, including rent for a Manhattan penthouse and other spending, rather than being used for business development.

According to a criminal complaint unsealed in the Southern District of New York, Oberhof is alleged to have transferred more than $1.8 million to a German bank account he controlled. Thousands of dollars were reportedly spent on personal expenses, including approximately $25,000 in rent for a Manhattan penthouse, where monthly costs were nearly $20,000. An additional $57,000 allegedly went towards paying off a personal loan.

Oberhof, a German national and co-founder of The Healing Company, faces one count of wire fraud. He was appointed interim CEO of The Healing Company in November 2023. The company, co-founded by Oberhof and his wife Anabel Oelmann, aimed to consolidate various health and lifestyle brands within the wellness industry. Deepak Chopra joined the venture as its chief scientific advisor in 2022. In March 2023, The Healing Company completed a deal to acquire certain assets from Chopra Global, including a wellness app, physical products, and licensed wellness experiences.

Prosecutors allege that Kleinfeld invested the $2.5 million after becoming interested in the company's Chopra-affiliated business. Kleinfeld reportedly understood that the funds were needed to pay off a lender whose debt was tied to assets slated for transfer into a new company. The investment was received in May 2024, but prosecutors claim the lender was never paid. Instead, the majority of the funds were allegedly transferred to Oberhof's personal account. Financial records were allegedly doctored to conceal the alleged diversion of funds, with only about $60,000 remaining in the account days after the investment.

After Kleinfeld inquired about the investment and requested his money back, Oberhof allegedly made four payments totaling approximately $575,000. The federal complaint states that the alleged actions left the investor with a loss exceeding $2 million. Oberhof was released on a $2 million bond, with his father-in-law and another German entrepreneur reportedly acting as guarantors. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. Oberhof's attorney has stated that his client firmly denies the allegations.