In 2016, Edward L. Angel, Sr., a 71-year-old veteran, was sentenced for theft of government funds and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration. The U.S. District Attorney’s Office reports that Angel received a three-year supervised probation, with the first six months spent on house arrest. He was also ordered to pay $141,972 in restitution and a fine of $850,000.
The charges against Angel include making false statements to the FAA and theft of government funds. In February 2024, Angel was found guilty on three counts of making false statements to the FAA, but a mistrial was declared due to jury deadlock on the theft of government charge. Following this, a plea agreement was reached and Angel pled guilty to one count of theft.
From 2011 to 2012, while claiming he was unable to work due to a medical condition and receiving SSA Disability Insurance Benefits, Angel owned and operated ELA Group Inc., which received millions of dollars in set-aside contracts through the VA’s Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Program (SDVOSB). In addition, he owned Paradigm Engineers & Constructors PLLC and submitted documents stating he worked over 50 hours per week as the company’s president in order to qualify it for the SDVOSB program. However, these actions ultimately led to his conviction for stealing government funds and making false statements.
