A former government employee from Maryland has admitted to committing fraud and theft by submitting false work hours to two different employers. Idris Ahmad, 53, pleaded guilty in court for submitting timesheets with identical hours to both the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) between September 2020 and June 2021. His actions have led to significant consequences, including criminal charges and a planned sentencing in the coming weeks.
Ahmad’s Double Billing Scheme
Idris Ahmad was hired by the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) in 2017 as a pest control supervisor. At the same time, he also worked a night shift at the U.S. Department of Defense as a pest controller at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB), a military base in Washington, D.C.
However, in 2020, Ahmad’s schedule at JBAB changed. He was moved to a day shift, which overlapped with his daily hours at DOH. Instead of informing his employers about the change in his work hours, Ahmad continued working for both employers at the same time. This was the start of his fraudulent scheme.
Submitting Fraudulent Timesheets
From September 2020 to June 2021, Ahmad began submitting false timesheets to both the D.C. Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Defense. He billed them for the same hours, essentially “double-billing” the two agencies. In other words, he reported that he had worked for both the DOH and the DoD during the same hours, which was not true.
By doing this, Ahmad collected paychecks from both employers, even though he could not have possibly worked at both places at the same time. This dishonest act allowed him to receive money that he was not entitled to.
When questioned about this, Ahmad admitted to his actions in court, acknowledging that he had lied to both employers about his working hours. He also confessed to knowing that his actions were wrong and that he had been cheating both agencies for several months.
Investigation and Legal Action
The case was thoroughly investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, which works to prevent fraud and corruption within local government agencies. The U.S. Department of Defense also helped with the investigation, as one of the employers involved in the case was the DoD.
Ahmad’s guilty plea was accepted by Judge Robert R. Rigsby in the D.C. Superior Court. The court found him guilty of two counts of second-degree fraud and two counts of second-degree theft. These charges are serious and carry legal consequences for Ahmad.
The prosecutors involved in the case were U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and District of Columbia Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas, who worked together to hold Ahmad accountable for his fraudulent behavior. The case was prosecuted by the late Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Bayly Leighton, along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Micah Bluming, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Huether and Anna Forgie.
What’s Next for Ahmad?
Ahmad’s sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2025, where he will face the legal consequences of his actions. While his guilty plea shows that he admitted to his crimes, the final outcome of his case will be determined by the court.
This case highlights the importance of honesty and integrity, especially in government jobs. Fraudulent activities like double-billing not only harm employers but also waste taxpayer money, which can have a negative impact on the community.
