United States of America v. Andrew Langford

Greenbelt, Maryland, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.


Reported by: Kent Morlan

Andrew Langford. age 50, of Ft. Washington, Maryland, devised a scheme to defraud the SSA to obtain money to personally enrich himself and to benefit him and his associates. Back in November 2008, Langford applied for SSA disability benefits, reporting that he was unable to work due to a disabling condition.

Then in May 2009, Langford applied for child/auxiliary benefits for his three 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 responsibility to inform the agency if he returned to work or if his health improved.

As part of the scheme, Langford operated two cleaning companies — NDA Cleaning Services, LLC, and CK Janitors, Inc. — registered in Maryland and Virginia, respectively. Langford utilized an IRS system to apply for Employer Identification Numbers for his businesses associated with the alleged fraud. But Langford failed to report that he returned to work as required. Langford concealed his ownership of the businesses, along with his income and ability to work, from the SSA.

In August 2020, when a SSA employee inquired about the businesses, Langford verbally advised that he never heard of NDA Janitorial Services or NDA Cleaning Services. Langford also maintained he last worked in 2008.

But records showed that in March 2015, Langford filed Articles of Organization for NDA Cleaning Services, LLC, and then in October 2018, he filed Articles of Reinstatement for the business. Langford is also listed as the resident agent for the business. Further, records from the Virginia State Corporation Commission Information System show Langford is listed as the director/CEO of CK Janitors, Inc., from November 2015, through April 2018.

Then in September 2019, the SSA mailed Langford a Continuing Disability Review notice, informing him of an impending review of his disability case. In January 2020, after the SSA didn’t receive required documentation, it mailed Langford a proposed decision to end his benefits. The SSA’s decision was based on the agency’s review of documents, including his earning records, as reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

In May 2021, SSA mailed Langford notices informing him that he received SSA disability and child/auxiliary payments overpayments to which he was not entitled. IRS records revealed that Langford earned more than $100,000, annually, for tax years 2012, 2014, and 2016.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced eight months in federal prison,