Philadelphia man admits role in forging u.S. postal service money orders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 23, 2012

 

TRENTON, N.J. – A Philadelphia man today admitted his role in a conspiracy to forge U.S. Postal Service money orders, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Yacouba Magadji, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper in Trenton federal court to an Information charging him with one count of conspiracy to falsely and materially alter money orders.

According to documents filed and statements made in court:

Magadji and others allegedly agreed to buy U.S. Postal Service money orders for small amounts and then alter them to show a higher face value. Magadji met three times with buyers who were actually confidential informants. At each meeting, Magadji sold the confidential informant 10 money orders with an apparent face value of $1,000. Each of the money orders had been purchased for a much smaller amount, and then altered.

The count to which Magadji pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2013.

Fishman credited inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Newark Division, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Philip R. Bartlett with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charlton A. Rugg of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Pasquale F. Giannetta Esq., of Wayne, N.J.

Magadji Information

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