SHREVEPORT, La. – A Shreveport businessman and military veteran has been brought to justice for his role in a scheme to defraud the government of millions of dollars in set-aside contracts and disability payments.
Edward L. Angel, Sr., 71, of Shreveport, was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, for his role in the scheme to steal government funds and make false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to court documents, Angel, who owned and operated two businesses, ELA Group, Inc. and Paradigm Engineers and Constructors PLLC, submitted false forms to the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) program, stating that he was the President of ELA and responsible for all day-to-day responsibilities and decisions.
Angel also submitted documentation to qualify his companies for the SDVOSB program, certifying that he was the 100% owner of Paradigm and worked an average of 50 or more hours a week. As a result of these misrepresentations, ELA and Paradigm were accepted into the SDVOSB program and received millions of dollars in set-aside contracts.
Angel also submitted false documents to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to receive Individual Unemployability (IU) payments, stating that he was unable to work and had been unemployed since 2008. As a result of his misrepresentations, Angel received $93,819.29 in IU payments that he was not entitled to receive.
Furthermore, Angel applied for SSA Disability Insurance Benefits, stating that he had been unable to work since 2010 due to a medical condition. However, he failed to disclose that he owned and operated two companies and was gainfully employed. As a result of these misrepresentations, he received $48,153.60 in disability payments he was not entitled to receive.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General, and Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Executive Assistant United States Attorney Earl M. Campbell and former Assistant United States Attorney Tennille M. Gilreath.
Angel’s sentence includes three years of supervised probation, with the first six months to be served in home confinement, as well as restitution in the amount of $141,972.89 and a fine of $850,000.
Angel’s scheme to defraud the government is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity and honesty in business dealings.
The Department of Justice will continue to pursue those who seek to defraud the government and undermine the public trust.
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Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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