Former Gates Mills postmaster sentenced to prison for theft

The former postmaster of the Gates Mills Post Office was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to repay approximately $57,000 that she stole, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, and Monica Weyler, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service -- Office of Inspector General, Eastern Area Field Office.

Ann Apana, 66, of Maple Heights, Ohio, was previously found  on one count of theft of property used by the U.S. Postal Service.

From at least June 12, 2009 until June 15, 2014, as part of a continuing course of conduct, Apana stole approximately $38,741.42 in money and merchandise from the Postal Service and made approximately $18,341.08 in unauthorized purchases of postage using customers’ credit card information.

"The vast majority of the Postal Service's 600,000 employees are hardworking, dedicated individuals worthy of the American public's trust,” Weyler said. “Unfortunately, a small few decide to take advantage of that trust and steal from their employer and customers. Today's sentence shows that special agents with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General work diligently to identify those few individuals, and seek their prosecution and removal from employment. The message is clear -- if you steal from the Postal Service, you will go to jail and lose your job."

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Miranda E. Dugi following an investigation by special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.