COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The former chief financial officer at a South Carolina school district has been indicted 20 on federal charges, including fraud and embezzlement.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said 61-year-old Brantley D. Thomas III was also indicted on money laundering and wire fraud charges. Thomas was chief financial officer for Berkeley County schools.
Officials say Thomas took more than $800,000. The South Carolina attorney general’s office said that’s more than twice the amount previously reported.
State officials also announced additional charges against Thomas.
Thomas was fired in February during an investigation of the school district’s finances.
Prosecutors say Thomas overpaid vendors and then took the refunds and used them for personal expenses.
Thomas’ lawyer, Matthew Hubbell, said Thursday his client has accepted responsibility and is cooperating with authorities and will plead guilty.
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