Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that two women from Anaktuvuk Pass were separately indicted by a federal grand jury in Anchorage for multiple counts of Misappropriation of Postal Funds.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder, Dorothy Gordon was indicted on 23 counts related to theft of deposits from the Anaktuvuk Pass Post Office, as well as theft of cash on delivery (COD) funds. The total amount of theft charged for Gordon is over $70,000. Bernice Hart was charged in a separate indictment on 45 counts related to theft of deposits, theft of COD funds, and theft of money orders. The total amount of theft charged for Hart is over $40,000.
The charge of Misappropriation of Postal Funds carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, or a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the federal sentencing statutes, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense(s) and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Ms. Loeffler commends the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General for the investigation of this case. According to Joanne Yarbrough, Special Agent in Charge for the Western Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the vast majority of Postal Service employees are hardworking professional individuals dedicated to the furtherance of Postal Service operations. However, when employees violate the public trust, as alleged in this case, OIG agents will investigate those individuals aggressively and seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.
An indictment 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
