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MARYLAND MAN INDICTED FOR WIRE FRAUD,
THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY,
AND FAILURE TO DISCLOSE AN EVENT
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury indicted Andrew Langford, 49, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, charging him with wire fraud, theft of government property, and failure to disclose an event.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Special Agent in Charge Colleen Lawlor, Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) – Philadelphia Field Division, and Special Agent in Charge Andrew McKay, Mid-Atlantic Field Division of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
According to the indictment, Langford applied for SSA disability benefits in November 2008, reporting that he was unable to work due to a disabling condition. Then in May 2009, Langford applied for child/auxiliary benefits for his minor children. Later in 2009, SSA notified Langford that he was eligible for and would begin receiving disability benefit payments. SSA also notified Langford of his responsibilities to notify the agency if he returned to work or if his health improved. After he was granted benefits, Langford returned to work, but did not notify SSA as required.
Langford received more than $270,000 in disability benefits from January 2014 through May 2021, that he allegedly was not entitled to. He allegedly defrauded SSA by providing false information — namely, concealing his ownership and operation of NDA Cleaning Services in Maryland and CK Janitors, Inc., in Virginia — to continue receiving disability payments. Langford utilized an Internal Revenue Service system to apply for Employer Identification Numbers for his businesses associated with the alleged fraud.
If convicted, Langford faces up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud, 10 years for theft of government property, and five years for failure to disclose an event. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. Individuals charged by indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty at a later criminal proceeding.
U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the SSA-OIG and TIGTA for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon who is prosecuting the case.
For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/report-fraud.
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