Linford Atakora sentenced to nine months in US for identity fraud

Linford Atakora sentenced to nine months for US Social Security fraud

Linford Atakora, a 29-year-old Ghanaian, has been sentenced to nine months in a United States federal prison for fraudulently using a relative's identity to secure employment. The sentencing, handed down by US District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland in North Dakota, concludes a case involving the misuse of a Social Security number and the subsequent extraction of federal funds under false pretenses. The court noted that the sentence accounts for the time Atakora has already spent in federal custody. The court found that Atakora used the name and Social Security number of a relative who is a US citizen to obtain a position at Love & Care, Inc., a home health agency based in Bismarck. During the hiring process, he completed official employment forms and provided falsified documents to misrepresent his identity and bypass immigration work requirements. Because he was not legally authorized to work, his employment led the agency to receive over $51,000 in ineligible health claims from the US Department of Health and Human Services. US Attorney Nicholas W. Chase emphasized that using another person’s identity to circumvent federal laws is a serious crime that undermines the integrity of the Social Security system and national immigration standards. The prosecution highlighted that such misrepresentations are federal offenses, and the US Department of Justice remains committed to identifying and prosecuting individuals who engage in identity theft for employment or financial gain. Upon completion of his prison term, Atakora is scheduled for immediate removal from the United States to Ghana. The case serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences for foreign nationals who use stolen or borrowed identities to work illegally. The court’s order for deportation ensures that the defendant will be returned to his home country once his criminal sentence is fully served.