Former Postal Letter Carrier Sentenced for Workers’ Compensation Fraud

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Christopher Gleason, age 36, of Auburn, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 3 years' probation and ordered to pay $14,858.94 in restitution and a special assessment of $400. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge, United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General - Northeast Region, made the announcement.

During his previously entered guilty plea, Gleason admitted that while he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier, he began receiving workers' compensation benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) for a sprained ankle. While receiving workers' compensation benefits, Gleason admitted that he was working construction jobs. Gleason had been instructed to report any earnings from employment outside his federal job for the periods where he sought workers' compensation benefits. Gleason admitted to filing multiple false claims affirming that he had not worked outside of his federal job, when he was working and earning income. As a result of the false statements, Gleason received benefits totaling $14,858.94.

The United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and Department of Labor investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson is prosecuting the case.