Rockport Woman Charged With Embezzlement By A Postal Service Employee

EVANSVILLE - Josh J. Minkler, Acting United States Attorney, announced today that Brittney L. Thorpe, 26, of Rockport, was charged with embezzlement by a Postal Service employee following an investigation by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

“Federal employees serve the public, not the other way around,” said Minkler. “Anyone who violates the public trust will be held accountable for their actions.”

The Information alleges that between December 6, 2013 and February 1, 2014, Thorpe, while working as a Postal Service employee of the Richland, Indiana, Post Office, took Postal Service money orders and used them to obtain funds to pay her personal living expenses. The loss to the Postal Service is approximately $5,286.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle M. Sawa, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Thorpe faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. An initial hearing will be scheduled in Evansville before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.

An Information 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.