By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Employees at two Shelby County post offices have been charged with stealing a total of more than $54,000 in money orders and other postal funds, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Birmingham resident Germaine Foster, 36, and 56-year-old Maplesville resident Sharon Harrison were indicted by federal grand juries on Dec. 27 on charges of stealing U.S. Postal money orders and theft of government property.

Foster, who has been charged with stealing about $27,650 in money orders and postal funds, previously worked at the Maylene post office and Harrison, who has been charged with stealing about $27,291 in money orders, worked at the Shelby post office.

If convicted, Foster and Harrison could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine per theft of Postal Service money order charge and up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine per theft of government property charge.

The U.S. Postal Service and the Office of Inspector General investigated the cases, which are being prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Frank M. Salter.