Alexandria Man Pleads Guilty to Scamming $500K In Federal Money

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- An Alexandria man pleaded guilty Friday to wire fraud, theft of government funds and passport fraud in a scheme where he obtained over $500,000 in federal funds.

According to court documents, Adelaja Allen Arojuraye, 45, got $366,716 in federal financial aid from Department of Education programs, stole $136,000 in federal grant funds from the National Science Foundation and lied to receive a U.S. passport.

According to the statement of facts in the plea agreement, Arojuraye fraudulently obtained three social security numbers in his own name to avoid repaying debts and to receive more financial aid. Over 15 years, he accumulated $311,418 in debt which he either defaulted on or put in forbearance without making payments. He also used his parents' social security numbers without permission to get an additional $55,298 in federal financial aid.

When trying to apply for a U.S. passport, he entered a social security number different from the three he had obtained financial aid from.

In 2012, Arojuraye had falsely stated in National Science Foundation grant application that he was not delinquent on federal debt and received $136,000 in federal grants.

He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

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