Maryland Man Admits to Disability Benefits Fraud, Receiving Over $270,000

A Maryland resident has pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a scheme that defrauded the Social Security Administration (SSA) of over $270,000 in disability benefits. Andrew Langford, 50, of Ft. Washington, admitted to receiving these funds to which he was not entitled between January 2014 and May 2021. The prosecution is part of a broader federal effort to combat fraud within government benefit programs.

According to court documents, Langford applied for SSA disability benefits in 2008, claiming a disabling condition prevented him from working. In 2009, he also applied for and received child/auxiliary benefits for his three minor children. The SSA notified Langford of his eligibility and the requirement to report any return to work or improvement in his health. However, Langford failed to disclose that he was actively operating two cleaning companies, NDA Cleaning Services, LLC, and CK Janitors, Inc., registered in Maryland and Virginia respectively. He also failed to report the income generated from these businesses.

Records indicate that Langford actively managed these companies while receiving benefits. He filed organizational documents for NDA Cleaning Services, LLC, in March 2015 and filed for its reinstatement in October 2018, serving as its resident agent. Further documentation from Virginia shows him listed as the director and CEO of CK Janitors, Inc. from November 2015 to April 2018. Despite these activities, Langford concealed his ownership and income from the SSA.

When questioned by an SSA employee in August 2020, Langford reportedly denied any knowledge of NDA Janitorial Services or NDA Cleaning Services and stated he last worked in 2008. However, IRS records revealed that Langford earned more than $100,000 annually for the tax years 2012, 2014, and 2016. The SSA initiated a Continuing Disability Review in September 2019. After Langford failed to provide required documentation, the SSA issued a proposed decision to terminate his benefits in January 2020, based on his reported earnings. In May 2021, the SSA informed Langford of overpayments totaling the amount he had received but was not entitled to. Langford faces a maximum prison sentence of 20 years for wire fraud, with sentencing scheduled for September 1.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maryland

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