By Tony Romeo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The state attorney general’s office has charged a former Welfare Department employee in a scheme intended to steal almost $340,000 dollars in public assistance benefits.

Nils Frederiksen, spokesman for the attorney general, says 23-year-old Kyshima Montgomery of Philadelphia allegedly used her position as a clerk at a state welfare office in the city to place thousands of dollars into the accounts of individuals who were receiving benefits.

“And then she allegedly withdrew the majority of that money before turning over the electronic debit cards to the individuals who were participating in the scheme.”

And as to those others allegedly participating in the scheme, Frederiksen says the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests are anticipated. Earlier this fall, agents from the attorney general’s office arrested two former caseworkers from Delaware County who were charged with stealing nearly $300,000 in a similar welfare benefits scheme.