Tuesday, April 5, 2011

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.- Thomas Arden Stanton, 53, of Morristown, Tenn., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Greeneville, on April 4, 2011, to five years probation by the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer, U.S. District Judge. Stanton pleaded guilty on October 27, 2010, to an information charging him with embezzlement of U.S. Postal Service (USPS) funds. Judge Greer also ordered Stanton to pay $4,212.66 restitution to USPS, serve 200 hours of community service, and pay a $100 assessment. Additionally, Stanton was ordered to undergo mental health evaluation and possible treatment and prohibited from employment in any position which involves the handling of others’ funds without permission of the U.S. Probation Office.

Stanton, a long-time USPS employee, was Postmaster in Hartford, Cocke County, Tenn. He took $4,212.66 in USPS funds from the cash drawer and fabricated false refund claims to conceal his theft. His theft, which extended from October 1, 2009 to July 22, 2010, was exposed during a routine audit. In accordance with USPS policy, Stanton was removed from his position when the embezzlement was uncovered.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Greer noted that “stealing from a post office, especially in a one-person post office, is a serious offense; it is an abuse of public trust and is theft from public funds. This is a federal offense by a federal employee to steal federal funds and the appropriate place to bring these cases is in federal court.”

U.S. Attorney Bill. Killian, stated that his office fully supports the USPS and its mission to maintain the integrity of its funds. “We have a zero tolerance policy for federal workers who abuse public trust,” said Killian.

The charges and subsequent conviction of Stanton were the result of an investigation conducted by the USPS, Office of Inspector General. Helen Smith, Assistant U.S. Attorney, represented the United States.