Seven former and current U.S. Postal Service employees face federal charges in an alleged mail theft ring.
U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha says the defendants targeted inbound and outbound mail as they worked at a sorting facility that handled mail for Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The mail was bound for Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts including The Cape.
An investigation began in March of 2023 after people noticed mail was not being delivered or it was delivered without contents. The defendants allegedly put aside mail that they thought contained cash, checks or gift cards and carried it out in a backpack.
“The misuse of public employment for private gain is both a serious crime and profound breach of the public trust,” commented U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Cunha. “The arrests and charges we announce today should send a clear message that those who engage in public corruption for personal gain will be held accountable.”
The group would then open the mail and split the contents. One defendant was caught with a backpack containing more than 1-point-3-million-dollars worth of checks.
(Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)