Three more people charged in DSS check cashing scheme

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say three more people have been charged with cashing checks in a scheme to defraud South Carolina’s social services agency of up to $5.2 million.
   
The indictments announced Tuesday mean 23 people now have been accused of helping former Department of Social Services Director Paul Moore take the money over nearly five years. Prosecutors say the investigation is not over and they expect more indictments.
   
Authorities say Moore wrote checks averaging around $7,000 and got others to cash them, keeping some of the money for themselves and giving the rest to Moore.
   
Moore is out of jail on bail and is awaiting trial. His lawyer has said he is helping investigators, but disagrees with authorities on how much money was taken from DSS.