Two former U.S. Postal Service employees were sentenced to prison for fraudulently obtaining federal worker’s compensation benefits, said Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler.
Margaret M. Davis, 56, of Massillon, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $49,249 in restitution after pleading guilty to making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Davis falsely stated in 2015 she had not been incarcerated the prior 15 months when completing forms to continue her disability benefits under the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act when she, in fact, had, according to court documents. The USPS OIG investigation showed she completed these forms while incarcerated in an Ohio prison.
Nicole M. Gates, 33, of Wickliffe, was sentenced to six months incarceration and ordered to pay $5,884 in restitution and a $2,500 fine. She was convicted by a jury to two counts of wire fraud and one count of making false statements and fraud to obtain federal employee's compensation.
Gates, a mail carrier, falsely represented her physical limitations in connection with her receipt of workers’ compensation benefits, according to court documents and trial testimony.
“The U.S. Postal Service paid over $2.7 billion in workers compensation costs last year, the majority of which went to employees who legitimately deserve it. However, a few employees, such as Nicole Gates and Margaret Davis, choose to defraud the system to receive money they are not entitled to," Weyler said. “Investigations by USPS OIG special agents such as these are part of our mission of preventing and detecting criminal activity and serious misconduct within the Postal Service. Last year, with the support of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, USPS OIG investigations nationwide saved the Postal Service over $320 million in future federal workers compensation costs. To report workers compensation fraud, or any other serious offenses committed by postal employees, contact our special agents at 888-USPS-OIG or www.uspsoig.gov."
The cases are unrelated. Both were investigated by special agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Seabury Gould prosecuted the Davis case while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Megan R. Miller and Kendra Klump prosecuted the Gates case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
