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Former Immigration Agent Indicted For Pay Theft

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities claim a former immigration agent stole more than half a million dollars in pay and benefits.

The former assistant special agent in charge for Immigration and Customs Enforcement is also charged with obstruction of justice in a smuggling case.

The U.S. Attorney's office says 51-year old Frank Eugene Johnston and his wife Taryn are set to be arraigned Friday on charges including wire fraud, theft and making false statements.

Prosecutors say Johnston supervised his wife at the immigration agency in Los Angeles and assigned her to a remote office, then approved time sheets for $582,000 in work she never did.

Taryn Johnston's attorney Dana Cole says she was allowed to work from home and her hours were for tasks she was assigned to do.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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