24 IRS workers charged with theft

Federal prosecutors say 24 current and former Inteal Revenue Service employees have been charged with stealing govement benefits.

The U.S. attoey’s office in Memphis said Wednesday that the employees were indicted on charges that they fraudulently received more than $250,000 in benefits including unemployment insurance payments, food stamps, welfare, and housing vouchers.

Prosecutors say 13 of the IRS employees face federal charges of lying about being unemployed while applying for or recertifying their govement benefits. Eleven others face state charges of theft of property over $1,000.

U.S. Attoey Edward Stanton says the workers stole from American taxpayers.

Prosecutors canceled a news conference to announce the indictments. U.S. attoey’s office spokesman Rodney King says that was due to “unforeseen events.” He did not elaborate.