Ghanaian man sentenced in North Dakota for using relative’s identity to obtain employment at Bismarck health agency
Bismarck, North Dakota – A 29-year-old man from the Republic of Ghana has been sentenced in federal court after using a relative’s identity and Social Security number to obtain employment at a home health agency in Bismarck, North Dakota.
United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that Linford Atakora received a sentence of approximately nine months in federal prison for the time he had already served in custody.
United States District Court Judge Daniel L. Hovland imposed the sentence following Atakora’s felony conviction for misuse of a Social Security number.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Hovland ordered that Atakora be removed from the United States and returned to the Republic of Ghana.
Fraudulent employment documents led to more than $51,000 in ineligible claims
According to federal court records, the case began in March 2024, when Atakora used personal information belonging to a relative who was a United States citizen.
The information included the relative’s name, date of birth and Social Security number.
Atakora used those details while applying for a position at Love & Care, Inc., a home health agency operating in Bismarck.
During the application process, he presented his relative’s driver’s license and Social Security card as though the documents belonged to him.
He also provided false information when completing an IRS Form W-4 Employee’s Withholding Certificate and an employee information form.
Federal authorities determined that Atakora did not possess a valid Social Security number of his own and was not legally authorized to work in the United States.
His use of another person’s identity allowed him to obtain employment despite those restrictions.
According to prosecutors, the false information also had financial consequences for the health agency.
Because of Atakora’s misrepresentations, Love & Care, Inc. received Health and Human Services ineligible units and claims totaling $51,435.63.
Federal officials emphasized that using someone else’s personal information to bypass employment requirements can result in criminal prosecution.
“This case serves as an important reminder to North Dakota workers and employers that working under another person’s identity or social security number to circumvent immigration work requirements is a federal crime,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Chase. “Our office will continue to work with our state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these types of offenses.”
Federal officials highlight broader efforts to combat fraud
The sentencing comes as the Department of Justice has announced additional efforts aimed at investigating fraud involving federal programs.
On April 7, the department announced the establishment of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, also known as the Fraud Division.
The division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals accused of committing fraud against the American people.
According to the Justice Department, these efforts also support President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a governmentwide initiative chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance.
The task force focuses on identifying and addressing fraud, waste and abuse involving federal benefit programs.
The investigation into Atakora’s conduct was carried out by the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.
Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek handled the federal prosecution.
With the sentence accounting for approximately nine months already served in federal custody, Atakora also faces the court’s order directing his removal to Ghana.
