Jennifer Riccardi, 46, a former U.S. Postal Service employee who worked at the main mail processing center in Cleveland, was sentenced for her role in a scheme to steal from the U.S. mail and commit access device fraud.  Judge John R. Adams sentenced Riccardi to 56 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and $89,102 in restitution.  Her co-defendant and live-in boyfriend, Joseph Dennis, has already pleaded guilty for his role in this scheme and will be sentenced on January 21, 2020.

U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said: “This defendant is accused of stealing more than a thousand gift cards worth tens thousands of dollars, including birthday presents or other gifts people entrusted to the postal service for delivery to their family and loved ones. As we approach the holiday season, it is important to remind anyone who is thinking of stealing from the mail that they will be held accountable for their actions, just like any other criminal.”  

U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Kenneth F. Cleevely, Eastern Area Field Office, stated: “The vast majority of the 500,000 postal employees nationwide are hard-working, trust worthy individuals.  However, when one of those employees choose to violate that trust and steal from the mail for personal gain, special agents with the USPS OIG will vigorously investigate and pursue federal prosecution when appropriate. When postal employees choose to steal from the mail, they risk their career, benefits, retirement, and possibly their freedom. To report theft of mail, or other postal employee crimes, contact special agents at www.uspsoig.gov or 888-USPS-OIG.”