February 21, 2008

NEW ELLENTON, S.C.---A former clerk at the Postal Service office in New Ellenton has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on one count of mail theft.

Denise Larae Key, 43, had been under investigation since customers complained of mail that had been opened, with cash and gift cards missing.

U/.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd says, if convicted, Key could face up to five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.

Lloyd added, "All the charges in this indictment are merely accusations and...all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty." Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday of the Columbia office will prosecute the case. Lloyd did not indicate whether others at the
office were being investigated.

Earlier, News 12 reported Denise Key resigned in December after 23 years on the job.

At that time she told News 12, "I feel like all the blame is being put on me, and it's not me. I'm no Christmas Grinch."

She added that she resigned because of the investigation and because of health reasons. Then she said, "I don't want to be the only one blamed in all of this mess. They need to keep investigating and find out a lot of our problems come from Augusta."