Ex-Postal Workers Face $4M Check Theft Charges at JFK

Two former United States Postal Service (USPS) employees are among five suspects charged with the fraudulent theft and deposit of U.S. Treasury checks worth over $4 million, authorities announced today. The alleged scheme was unearthed after four separate indictments were unsealed at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, New York.

The accused, including two former USPS workers, allegedly stole and sold the checks from a USPS mail facility located at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Mail Facility). One of the ex-employees worked there. The remaining suspects are charged with fraudulently endorsing and depositing Treasury checks that were not addressed to them.

This morning, four defendants were arrested and scheduled for arraignment this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Taryn A. Merkl. However, one defendant remains at large.

“The former postal workers abused their positions of trust to pull off one of the biggest thefts at JFK,” stated Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. “Criminals who cash in on stolen checks can expect a change of address to federal prison.”

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG), New York City Police Department (NYPD), Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and United States Secret Service (Secret Service).

“Postal Inspectors pursue criminals who exploit the US Mail for unlawful purposes,” said Daniel Brubaker, Inspector in Charge of USPIS. “We will hold these criminals accountable.” NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban echoed this sentiment, vowing to maintain the integrity of New York’s postal system and hold all involved accountable.