Postal Service Supervisor Admits Misappropriation of Postal Funds

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Cape May County, New Jersey, man today admitted misappropriating postal funds, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.

Austin T. Mahan, 44, of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to an information charging him  with misappropriating over $1,000 in postal funds.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

For approximately six months in 2022 and 2023, Mahan, who worked as a United States Postal Service (USPS) supervisor at the Sea Isle and Somers Point Post Offices at various times, misused USPS credit cards to make personal purchases at various retail stores operating in and around New Jersey. These purchases included thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards as well as various home décor items, home renovation materials, power and handheld tools, tool storage equipment, and other personal items. The unauthorized expenses totaled $54,356.

The charge to which Mahan pleaded guilty is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum potential fine of $250,000, or a sum equal to the amount of value of the money or property misappropriated from the offense. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 25, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, with the investigation leading to the complaint.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara A. Aliabadi of the Special Prosecutions Division in Camden.