A former U.S. Postal Service worker has been charged with stealing people’s personal checks and depositing them into her account, according to the Illinois Attorney General.
Teneshya Harris, 36, of Chicago, has been charged with four felony counts of theft by deceit ranging from $500 to $10,000 and four felony counts of forgery. Each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
According to officials, Harris was working for the Postal Service when she took checks from clients who were attempting to mail them. Harris reportedly changed the checks made out to her or increased the amount on them. Finally, Harris would sign the checks and deposit them in her back account, according to officials.
What they’re saying: “Americans rely on the integrity and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service, and it is unacceptable that any Postal Service employee would abuse their position to take advantage of the public they are supposed to serve,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said. “I will continue to partner with federal agencies to hold individuals accountable when they defraud the public for their own personal financial gain.”
“This indictment is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” said Mary T. Johnson, acting inspector-in-charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Maintaining integrity of the U.S. mail is paramount for our agency. That is why the Postal Inspection Service will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers.”
Her next court date is slated for May 7.
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