Prince William Co. Man Convicted For Defrauding Public Health Nonprofit

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A Prince William County man and Rockville, Maryland woman have been convicted in federal court in relation to defrauding a global public health nonprofit.

Abiodun A. Ogunwale, 46, of Haymarket was director of business development for the affected nonprofit from Dec. 1, 2014, to Aug. 21, 2020 and had notable control over hiring and paying consultants. Ogunwale hired Abimbola Ajayi, 41, of Rockville, Maryland, the co-conspirator, as a business development consultant in August 2016 through May 2020. The indictment did not publicly identify the nonprofit targeted in the scheme.

According to prosecutors, Ogunwale made invoices and work descriptions for Ajayi to bill the nonprofit, making it appear that she worked on proposals. However, three witnesses working in business development reported that they never met Ajayi. Ogunwale used a personal email account to send invoices for Ajayi and approved fraudulent invoices that she sent.

Ogunwale also worked with the co-conspirator to submit fraudulent receipts for business expenses that let her company AbbiFabDynamics, LLC, be paid. Ajayi would kick back and launder funds to Ogunwale through depositing cash to his company, Compass Management Services and Solutions, LLC and paying his credit card bills, according to prosecutors.

Ogunwale also hired a relative as a consultant to submit false expense reports. Prosecutors say he embezzled funds with false expense reports claiming payments due to Compass Management Services and Solutions LLC.

Ogunwale and Ajayi were convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Ogunwale was also convicted of mail fraud. Both face sentences of up to 20 years. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7.

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