Louisiana Veteran Sentenced for Benefits Fraud

Edward L. Angel, Sr., of Shreveport, Louisiana, was convicted of three counts of making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The trial revealed that Angel failed to disclose his service-related disability of Primary Lateral Sclerosis, a neurological disorder, on his Application for Airman Medical Certificate on three separate occasions. These false statements were made on documentation submitted for him to obtain a medical certificate to lawfully pilot his airplane. In addition to the counts of making false statements he was also charged with 76 counts of theft of government funds from the Department of Veteran Affairs and Social Security Administration. Following deliberation, the jury was deadlocked, and a mistrial was declared regarding those counts. The government plans to request a new trial date for the pending 76 counts. The VA OIG, the US Department of Transportation OIG, and the Social Security Administration OIG investigated this case. 

Edward L. Angel, Sr., of Shreveport, Louisiana, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds following a previous guilty plea in February for making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration. Starting in 2011, Angel fraudulently declared he served as president of a service-disabled veteran-owned small business program, claiming he was responsible for all day-to-day operations but did not take compensation. He also received Individual Unemployability benefits from VBA and applied for Social Security Administration (SSA) disability insurance benefits based on misrepresentations of his health. Angel agreed to pay restitution in the total amount of $141,972.89. His sentencing date is scheduled for April 26, 2024. The VA OIG, the Department of Transportation OIG, and the SSA OIG investigated this case.