Metro employees charged after alleged involvement in fare card fraud scheme

WASHINGTON - Nine Metro employees have been arrested after being accused of fraud.

Police say seven station managers and two custodians were involved in an elaborate scheme to steal money from fare cards.

An investigation revealed they had been collecting paper fare cards from riders -- letting those riders exit for free -- then loading the balances onto SmarTrip cards.

Those SmarTrip cards were then sold at a discounted price.

Metro has fired those nine employees. Authorities say all nine face misdemeanor charges.