ANDERSON, Ind. — The Department of Justice charged an Anderson man after he claimed that he was working from home while he was actually running his business as an inspection worker.
Christopher Markham, 40, was charged with one count of wire fraud after reportedly defrauding the Social Security Administration (SSA).
According to court documents, Markham was employed by the SSA and assigned to an office based in Anderson. Between February 13, 2019 and June 17, 2022, Markham reportedly engaged in a scam in which he appeared as though he was teleworking full-time for the SSA during workdays, when he was actually working as a home inspector for his personal business, Markham Inspection Services.
He would have his wife and mother access the SSA computer system and email supervisors to make it appear as though he was online and working. While working with the SSA, he earned a full salary and benefits. He exploited the Family and Medical Leave Act (FLMA) along with Emergency Paid Leave, claiming that he could not work due to illness. He would also claim that his children needed help, but they were actually at daycare.
According to timekeeping records, he submitted 53 fraudulent reports on his daily work log and timesheet. Markham’s fraud caused a loss of approximately $49,255.97.
It is not immediately clear how he was caught.
This is an active investigation, information will be updated as it becomes available.