A Maryland man is facing serious charges after a federal grand jury indicted him on counts of wire fraud, theft of government property, and failure to disclose an event. Andrew Langford, a 49-year-old resident of Fort Washington, has been charged in a case announced by Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland. The announcement was made in conjunction with the investigative efforts by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General (SSA-OIG) and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
Langford, who first applied for SSA disability benefits in 2008, reported an inability to work due to a disabling condition. The following year, he applied for additional benefits for his minor children. Despite obligations to report any improvement in his health or a return to work, Langford failed to notify SSA of his employment after the agency began disbursing disability benefits to him. According to the indictment, from January 2014 through May 2021, Langford fraudulently received more than $270,000 in disability benefits. To receive these funds improperly, he is accused of concealing his business operations, including NDA Cleaning Services in Maryland and CK Janitors, Inc., in Virginia.
Langford utilized IRS systems to fraudulently apply for Employer Identification Numbers, which were connected to the businesses involved in the alleged scheme. The charges could lead to a substantial prison sentence if he is convicted. The wire fraud count carries up to 20 years, theft of government property could result in 10 years, and failure to disclose an event might lead to another five years. It is important to understand that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and Langford is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in subsequent criminal proceedings.
As reported by the Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney Hayes expressed appreciation for the diligence of SSA-OIG and TIGTA in investigating the case. Hayes also acknowledged the efforts of Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kertisha Dixon, who is prosecuting the matter. Should there be a conviction, sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
