Former Postmaster Convicted Of Embezzlement
TKANSAS CITY, KAN. – The former postmaster of the Whiting, Kan., post office has been convicted on charges of embezzling government funds, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.
Terri L. Morris, 50, Holton,, Kan., was convicted in a jury trial on two counts of making a false writing and one count of embezzling public funds.
During trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the crimes took place while Morris was postmaster in Whiting, a town of about 200 in Jackson County, Kan. In 2010, investigators with the U.S. Postal Service made an unannounced visit to the Whiting Post Office and conducted an audit that showed a shortage of more than $7,000. Morris took the money and filed fraudulent statements to the Postal Service to cover up the thefts.
Sentencing is set for Aug. 24. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on each count of making a false writing, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the embezzlement count. Grissom commended the U.S. Postal Service, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.
