Billion new $100 bills being checked for flaws

WASHINGTON – The government said Monday it will need to check more than 1 billion new $100 bills because of production problems that have left unwanted creases in many of the notes.

Officials of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing said Monday that they are examining 1.1 billion of the new bills to determine how much of the currency will have to be destroyed.

The redesigned currency aimed at thwarting counterfeiters had been scheduled to go into circulation on Feb. 10. A spokeswoman said a new date will not be set until the problems are resolved.