FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

WEDNESDAY - November 19, 2008

POSTAL WORKER SENTENCED FOR DELAYING MAIL

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court here today United States District Judge James C. Dever, III, sentenced former United States Postal Service employee STEVEN M. PADGETT to three years of probation, 500 hours of community service for the delay or destruction of mail. The Court also imposed a $3,000 fine.

PADGETT worked for the United States Postal Service from 1995 until 2008. He delivered mail to Route 32 in Apex, North Carolina, since 2001. Agents with the United States Postal Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) discovered the mail stored at PADGETT'S Raleigh, North Carolina, home on May 6, 2008, due to a tip from a meter reader. When confronted by investigators at that time, PADGETT admitted to accumulating undelivered mail at his home for the past five to six years. It was determined that more than 250 victims were involved.

“Federal employees hold a position of trust with the public and Mr. Padgett's felony conviction reflects the seriousness of his violation of that trust,” said United States Attorney George E.B. Holding.

USPS-OIG Assistant Special Agent in Charge Larry Gleisner said: “The actions of Steven Padgett are an isolated incident. The public should not be concerned about the integrity of the United States mails.”

Padgett, 58, pled guilty on August 18, 2008, to the single count that violated Title 18, United States Code, Section 1703(a). Section 1703(a) provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Investigation of the case was conducted by Special Agent Matt Baldwin of the USPS-OIG. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Howard served as prosecutor for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.