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.

Former APWU President Pled Guilty to Theft of Mail

On November 2, 2007, a former Sales and Service Associate (SSA), who was a local American Postal Workers Union president, pled guilty to 1 count of Theft of Mail by Postal Employee and 1 count of Delay of Destruction of Mail by a Postal Employee. The guilty plea stemmed from a United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation into an allegation that postal management suspected the SSA of rifling mailpieces and parcels destined as Return-to-Sender or endorsed as undeliverable.

During a March 2007 OIG surveillance, OIG special agents observed the SSA opening mail and removing the contents from several mail packages. Special agents observed the SSA destroying packaging and placing them in the garbage after he placed items from the rifled packages into his pocket. When confronted by OIG special agents, the SSA admitted he had opened mail packages and removed articles from the packages for his personal use.

In June 2007, postal management removed the SSA from duty. In September 2007 the former SSA, who was on probation for firearm charges, was indicted and arrested at his home.