Jury Convicts Former Postal Worker in Fraudulent Scheme

HOUSTON – A federal jury has convicted a 47-year-old Humble woman of making false statements and theft of public money, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick. They deliberated for approximately an hour following less than three days of trial convicting Lisa Yvette Coffman.

Coffman was a 29-year federal postal employee. She sustained a job-related injury in 2011, but submitted more than $46,000 in false travel reimbursement claims related to that injury.  

The jury heard testimony from a Department of Labor employee who explained worker’s compensation regulations. The government also presented testimony from employees from six different medical providers who explained the actual number of visits Coffman attended, a number drastically lower than was she claimed in her travel reimbursement submissions.

A special agent with U.S. Postal Service – Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG) told the jury how they discovered the fraud which totaled $46,000.

U.S. District Judge Melinda Harmon presided over the trial and set sentencing for Sept. 14, 2018. At that time, she faces up to five years in prison for the false statements and another 10 years for theft of public money. Both convictions also carry a possible fine of $250,000.

USPS-OIG conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennie Basile and Charlie Escher are prosecuting the case.