WBAL.com

A Navy commander from Anne Arundel County has been indicted on charges that he defrauded a fund that provides money to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington says now-retired Navy Cmdr. Charles Coughlin of Severna Park was arraigned Monday. A federal grand jury has indicted him on seven counts, including mail fraud.

Coughlin is accused of falsely claiming that he suffered “a partial permanent disability” after being injured when a plane crashed into the Pentagon, where he was stationed.

Prosecutors say Coughlin received more than $330,000 from the Victim Compensation Fund after claiming injuries so severe that he could no longer perform simple tasks.

His wife, Sabrina Coughlin, faces one count of theft of government property. Both have pleaded not guilty.