Mail Theft by Employees and Contractors

USPS OIG Investigations

The American public expects to receive their letters and parcels on time and intact. Citizens have an expectation that their mail will not be stolen, rifled, read or obstructed while in the possession of the employees of the U. S. Postal Service. That expectation and trust extends to every one of the 690 million letters that travel across the country daily. Whether it’s a First-Class letter or a Priority Mail piece; registered mail or Express Mail; a magazine or a family heirloom in registered mail, all are handled by the women and men of the U.S. Postal Service.

The vast majority of postal employees are dedicated and hard-working individuals who work diligently to move the mail to its proper destination. Unfortunately, there are a small number of individuals who betray the public’s trust. Investigating and identifying those employees who steal mail and seeking their prosecution and removal from the Postal Service is the responsibility of the Office of Inspector General.

In March 2006, the Chairman of the Board of Governors and the Postmaster General announced their decision to complete the investigative realignment between the OIG and the Postal Inspection Service. This realignment involved a transfer of all investigations of employee misconduct, including theft of mail, to the OIG. On January 1, 2007, the transition was completed and the OIG now is exclusively responsible for all employee misconduct and theft investigations.

To prepare for this transition and the new investigative responsibilities, the OIG’s Office of Investigations has hired more than 260 new investigators since April 1, 2006 and has expanded its accessibility with more than 90 locations nationwide. A subject matter expert steering committee of experienced internal mail theft specialists has been created to chart the course for the mail theft mission. Special Agents assigned mail theft duties have completed a rigorous specialized training program in preparation for taking on these new duties.

Office of Investigations management is taking a lead role in partnering with the mailing industry by attending strategic meetings with key mailers, such as Netflix, and major financial industry associations, such as the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities. Additionally, these partnerships will work on any mail processing issues, identify and exchange “best practices,” and share loss prevention strategies.

Phoenix Postal Employee Indicted for Dumping Mail

A Phoenix, Arizona, federal grand jury indicted a former postal employee for dumping First-Class Mail, after an investigation by Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG). The Phoenix employee was charged with ten counts of Delay or Destruction of Mail by a Postal Employee, a federal charge that carries up to 5years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both for each charge. The indictment charges the employee (at the time), with depositing mail into a trash bag and throwing it away rather than delivering it to the addressees.

“U. S. Postal Service employees are given a special trust to properly handle mail that comes into their possession. When even one postal employee violates that trust, it is a cause of concern for all of us as customers of the mail system,” said U.S. Attorney Paul K. Charlton.