Ghanaian jailed in US for using relative’s identity for job
Ghanaian Linford Atakora, 29, is sentenced to about nine months in the US for using a relative’s Social Security number to get a job and faces removal.
In a recent legal case in the United States, Linford Atakora, a 29-year-old Ghanaian, received a nine-month federal sentence for using the identity of an American citizen relative to secure employment. The sentence, imposed by US District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland, stems from a felony charge of misuse of a Social Security number.
Atakora was found guilty of fraudulently using his relative's personal information, including their driver's licence and Social Security card, to obtain a job at a home health agency in Bismarck, North Dakota. Despite not having a valid Social Security number or work authorization, Atakora proceeded to complete necessary paperwork, including an IRS Form W-4 and an employee information form, all using his relative's information.
The fraudulent activities resulted in the home health agency falsely receiving $51,435.63 in claims from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. US Attorney Nicholas W. Chase emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating that using another's identity to circumvent immigration work requirements is a federal crime. He also announced that Atakora would be removed from the United States to Ghana as per court order.
The case is part of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat fraud involving public funds and federal benefit programs, with the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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