Postal Employee Charged With Destroying Ad Mail
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Acting United States Attorney Robert S. Cessar announced today, March 30, 2010, that Robert S. Paieski of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of Delay or Destruction of Mail by a Postal Employee.
The one‑count indictment named Paieski, age 39, as the sole defendant.
According to the indictment, on or about June 29, 2009, Paieski, being an employee of the United States Postal Service, unlawfully destroyed two hods of mail advertisements which had been entrusted to him and were intended to be conveyed by United States mail.
Assistant United States Attorney Gregory C. Melucci, who presented the case to the grand jury, indicated that the law provides for a maximum total sentence of five 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. Agents of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
