Postal Workers Indicted in Fraud and Theft Cases Across Illinois, Texas

Two U.S. Postal Service employees are facing serious legal charges related to fraud and theft. Kelly Newman, a Cook County postal worker, has been indicted for fraudulently receiving $40,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans while falsely claiming to own a non-existent business. Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the charges, which include theft by deception and loan fraud, could lead to up to seven years in prison. This case emerged from an investigation by the USPS Office of the Inspector General, which was originally looking into potential workers' compensation fraud. Separately, a former USPS employee was convicted of stealing $1.6 million in checks from the mail and faces charges of bank fraud and unlawful procurement of naturalization. Both cases highlight ongoing issues of misconduct within the Postal Service.