Emilio Chirico, a 57-year-old resident of Cicero, New York, was sentenced to six months in prison for wire fraud and misappropriation of postal funds. The sentencing took place on October 29 in federal court in Utica. Chirico had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Chirico admitted that he stole $81,553.94 in stamps from the DeWitt Post Office between January 2021 and March 2023 while serving as station manager. He also falsified postal records to conceal his actions.
Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd ordered Chirico to serve two years of supervised release following his prison term. In addition, Chirico must pay $81,553.94 in restitution, a forfeiture money judgment for the same amount, and a $5,500 fine.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “Public servants are entrusted with the responsibility to serve their communities with honesty and integrity. Mr. Chirico chose instead to abuse that trust for his own personal gain. Today’s sentence makes clear that no one who steals from the public—no matter their position—will escape accountability. My office will continue to work tirelessly with our law-enforcement partners to protect taxpayer funds and uphold the integrity of our federal institutions.”
Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG), said: “The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General will continue to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and its personnel. Our office will continue to vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who violate the public’s trust. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG and the U.S Attorney’s Office Northen District of New York to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great longstanding relationships we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat fraud.”
The investigation was conducted by USPS-OIG and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamara B. Thomson, Michael F. Perry, and Melissa O. Rothbart.
