Woman charged in counterfeit money scam

Raleigh, N.C. — A Jacksonville woman has been indicted on charges she distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in counterfeit forms of currency across the country, authorities said Friday.

Ann Laurel Rutledge, 50, was indicted on federal charges of criminal conspiracy, aiding and abetting bank fraud, uttering counterfeit obligations or securities and aiding and abetting mail fraud.

Authorities said parcels were mailed from Nigeria to Rutledge containing bogus U.S. currency, money orders, bank checks and gift checks. She would then mail the counterfeit notes to people in other states, authorities said.

Rutledge also deposited counterfeit $100 bills into various accounts and then withdrew legitimate currency from the accounts to send to Nigeria, authorities said.