FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
ANGELA DODGE |
Dec..9, 2008 |
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER |
(713) 567-9388 |
USPS WINDOW CLERK PLEADS GUILTY TO MAKING FALSE FINANCIAL REPORTS
(Houston) – Former sales and service associate (window clerk), Winston Williams, 59, of Channelview, Texas, has pleaded guilty to making false entries and false reports of money collected, acting United States Attorney Tim Johnson announced today. Williams pleaded guilty this morning before United States District Judge David Hittner.
Williams was indicted April 14, 2008, on one count of making false entries and reports of monies. The indictment alleges that between January and June 2007, Williams made a false and fictitious entry of stamp purchases with the intent to deceive.
The investigation leading to the charges was triggered by a pattern of floor stamp stock shortages at the Barbara Jordan Post Office, 401 Franklin in Houston. In connection with cash paying customers’ mailings of Express Mail and/or Priority Mail packages, Williams entered these transactions as “postage-affixed” followed by a “no-sale” or non-revenue entry. In connection with approximately 149 separate transactions, Williams was observed falsely entering cash paying customers’ Express Mail and/or Priority Mail packages as “postage-affixed” followed by a “no-sale” non-revenue entry. These transactions resulted in Williams failing to properly account for approximately $1,201.94, where in fact the money had been collected from customers. Additional documentation was reviewed revealing an additional $1,507.06 in forgone revenue for the U.S. Postal Service.
Williams began his employment with the U.S. Postal Service on Aug. 18, 1973. He was assigned to work at the Barbara Jordan Post Office and retired in August 2007.
Judge Hittner accepted William’s guilty plea and has set sentencing for March 6, 2009. Williams faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. Williams has been permitted to remain free on bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for March 6, 2009.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Tammie Y. Moore.
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