Postmaster Accused Of Embezzling More Than $13,000 In Postal Funds

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Westmoreland County has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of misappropriation of postal funds, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment named Lawrence F. Stoken, III, 47, of Export, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, while employed as the Postmaster at the Rural Valley, Pennsylvania Post Office, Lawrence F. Stoken, III embezzled approximately $13,255.90 from the sale of stamps and postal money orders during the period from October 2011 to March 2013.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Leo M. Dillon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.