Feds accuse woman of stealing $32,000

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say a woman at a North Carolina Air Force base stole $32,000 from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

Court documents filed on Wednesday accuse Tina M. Battko of converting the money to her personal use. The charges are contained in a "criminal information" filing which typically signals a plea deal. A plea hearing is scheduled in the case for May.

The case involves Pope Air Force Base.

The documents do not describe how Battko got the money but said the theft began around May 2008 and ended in December 2009. Prosecutors did not say how the money was used. An attorney for her did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service typically provides shopping and dining options on military bases.