Lexington Park Woman Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison for Disability Benefit Fraud

In Greenbelt, Maryland, Angela Marie Farr, 36, of Lexington Park, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit theft of government property and for theft of government property, in connection with a scheme to obtain fraudulently disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) and the Social Security Administration (“SSA”).

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered Farr to forfeit an amount equal to the proceeds obtained as a result of the fraud by paying a money judgment of $475,751, and ordered Farr to pay restitution in the full amount of the government’s losses, which is at least $1,010,702.

Farr organized a conspiracy in which she submitted false and fraudulent documents to the VA in support of her disability compensation claims, as well as for the disability claims for her then-husband, Michael Vincent Pace, and for her father, Individual 1. The fraudulent documents stated that Farr, Pace, and Individual 1 were homebound and required full-time assistance for basic tasks such as eating, bathing, and dressing.

Farr served in the U.S. Navy from August 2, 2005 until April 19, 2007, when she was administratively discharged. In 2009, Farr filed a claim to the VA for disability compensation stating that she suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after being sexually assaulted while on duty three years earlier. At the same time, Farr also falsely claimed to the VA that she was seriously injured in a traffic accident when she was struck by a drunk driver while driving on duty in 2006.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron, Special Agent in Charge Kim R. Lampkins, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Inspector General (OIG), Mid-Atlantic Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Michael McGill of the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG), Philadelphia Field Division announced the sentence.

Farr’s scheme to obtain disability benefits spanned several years, with her initially filing a claim in 2009 and continuing to seek additional compensation through 2016. Her husband, Michael Vincent Pace, was also involved in the conspiracy, and both individuals were able to obtain significant financial benefits as a result of their false claims.

The case against Farr and Pace serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting government benefits from fraud and the consequences of those who seek to deceive the system. As a result of Farr’s actions, she will spend the next 30 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and will be required to pay restitution in the full amount of the government’s losses.

In approximately April 2016, Farr applied online for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits on the basis of the same disabilities she cited in her VA claims. In that application, Farr claimed that she was unable to work, despite the fact that she was working for the Department of Defense at the time she applied, but claimed she was forced to medically retire.

Defendant: Angela Marie Farr

Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to commit theft of government property and for theft of government property

City and State: Greenbelt, Maryland

Exact Date: Not specified in the article, but sentence was announced yesterday

Sentence or Outcome: 30 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release

Dollar Amounts: $475,751 (money judgment) and at least $1,010,702 (restitution)

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