Former U.S. Postal Employees Carol J. And Richard Pazder Plead Guilty To False Statement Offenses

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On Apr. 4, 2014, Carol J Pazder, 61, and Richard Pazder, 67, of Maryville, Tenn., appeared in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville. Carol J. Pazder pleaded guilty to providing false statements to obtain federal employees benefits. Her husband, Richard Pazder, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in the false statements.

Sentencing is set for 10:00 a.m., Jun. 20, 2014. Both face a term of five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and restitution.

The Pazders were both previously employed by the U.S Postal Service. Carol J. Pazder claimed false injuries at work. She and her husband Richard Pazder claimed the injuries were so painful she could only walk stand or sit for a few minutes at a time and was therefore unable to work and collected unemployment compensation. The couple was video-taped taking a cruise, disembarking at three ports of call and walking for hours at a time, followed by a trip to Disneyland.

In December 2013 an indictment, which included the aforementioned charges, was returned against the Pazders by a federal grand jury sitting in Knoxville, Tenn. This indictment was the result of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. Jennifer Kolman, Assistant United States Attorney represented the United States.