U.S. Attorney Announces Million Dollar Recovery For Unpaid Postage

ImageStore US Inc. and Mambate USA Inc., doing business as AGPTEK (collectively “AGPTEK”), an Internet-based vendor of a wide variety of merchandise, including consumer electronics, and their shareholder and principal, Charlie Wang, have entered into a settlement agreement with the United States in which they have agreed to pay $1,049,635.82 to resolve civil allegations that they failed to pay postage on large amounts of mail sent through the United States Postal Service.       

The settlement was announced today by Robert L. Capers, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Philip R. Bartlett, the Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service.

The settlement resolved a multi-year investigation into AGPTEK’s mailings to consumers.  AGPTEK sells consumer electronic accessories and replacement parts such as cell phone cases, digital camera batteries, and laptop AC adapters through multiple websites.  The United States alleged that from June 2005 to May 2010, AGPTEK mailed over two hundred thousand items to customers either without postage or without sufficient postage.  AGPTEK would stamp the packages with an unauthorized postal permit number that was not associated with any credit card or billing account. 

In reaching this settlement, AGPTEK and Mr. Wang accepted responsibility for failing to pay sufficient postage during the five year period.

“By failing to pay proper postage, AGPTEK short-changed the Postal Service of funds it depends on from customers to fulfill its mission,” stated U.S. Attorney Capers.  “This settlement reflects the commitment of this Office to root out wrongdoing against the Postal Service and ensure it is able to continue providing valuable services to all of its customers.” 

“The Postal Inspection Service will vigorously pursue individuals who underpay the Postal Service, and we appreciate U.S. Attorney Capers’ strong stance against those who seek to take advantage of the Postal Service,” said Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett.

This case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service and handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel G. Balaban.