VC accused of blackmail

The NY Daily News reported last week that Giri Sekhar, a managing partner with FA Technology Ventures, has been indicted for trying to blackmail the chief counsel of New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to secure a $25 million fund commitment from the New York State Common Retirement Fund.

Specifically, Sekhar is alleged to have sent messages threatening to expose the chief counsel in an extramarital affair. DiNapoli’s office denies the affair occurred.

USA!! Albany, N.Y.-based FA Technology is currently investing from a $150 million venture fund, which closed in 2001.

New York State Common is currently embroiled in an alleged kickback scandal that has resulted in five pleas and an ongoing investigation by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The exchanges from Sekhar, who is charged with one count of attempted coercion and one count of bribery, took place between Nov. 17 and Dec. 1 last year, according to the indictment, the Daily News reported.

“Bierman immediately alerted the inspector general in the controller’s office and Albany County District Attorney David Soares’ office, which brought the indictment,” according to the Daily News. —Dan Primack