(Baghdad) -- The theft of millions of dollars is being investigated in Baghdad.

Iraqi authorities say they're looking into a massive fraud scheme in a Baghdad municipality.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has ordered an investigation of employees at the municipality.

He faces an election where corruption may be a key issue.

The fraud case involves roughly 20-million dollars in a check-cashing scheme.

Authorities say scores of checks have been cashed in the names of fake employees at a bank inside the city hall.

More than a dozen people have been arrested thus far and the investigation is continuing.

　

(Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)