Three people pleaded guilty Wednesday to cashing checks with money embezzled from South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Brenda Marie Trapp, 48, of Columbia, Raven Elaine Brown, 30, of Blythewood, Derrick Londell Johnson, 38, of Winnsboro, and Ricky Donald Gratic, 47, of Winnsboro pleaded guilty to theft of government property, according to U.S. Attorney Walt Wilkins.
Meanwhile, 13 more people charged in the case were arraigned Tuesday on federal charges. Johnnie Mae Battle, age 65, Barbara Lynn Martin, age 53, Fronnie Andina Harris, age 58, Troy Lydell Taylor, age 38, Albert Cruel, age 53, Antonio S. Smith, age 33 Willie Howard Ross, age 66, and Jocelyn Renee Egleton, age 28, all of Columbia; Joseph Penneal Young, age 41, and Harriet Young Woodard, age 38, both of Winnsboro; Wendell Smith, age 49, of West Columbia; and Gail Moody Johnson, age 53, and Hoover Johnson, Jr., age 49, both of Aiken.
Paul Timothy Moore was indicted in February for using his position as the DSS Finance Director to authorize the issuance of hundreds of DSS checks, averaging $7,000 each. Prosecutors say those checks were then cashed and the profits were split.
Moore pleaded guilty October 29, 2009 to conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud and theft of government property, and one county of theft from an organization receiving federal funds. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
More arrests are expected, according to Wilkins.
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