A former postal worker is under scrutiny for an alleged theft totaling over $19,000 from the U.S. Postal Service, authorities said. Christine Hedges, 46, of Brockton, stands accused of misappropriating government funds for personal gain. Hedges was indicted in federal court on Wednesday, March 20, charged with one count of theft of government money, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
After her court appearance, Hedges was cut loose with conditions pending her trial. She worked for USPS since around 2020, serving as a Lead Sales & Service Associate in Brockton, the allegations, suggest Hedges began her embezzlement scheme in October 2021 and continued until August 2023. During that time, she is alleged to have created fraudulent no-fee money orders, in the absence of customers, for personal use and pilfered cash from her workstation.
Of the approximately 70 illicit money orders generated by Hedges, 11 were reportedly made payable to her boyfriend or a family member. Court documents allege that video surveillance captured Hedges pocketing cash from her drawer at work between August 1 and 14, 2023. These incidents compounded to a total loss of about $19,707 in postal funds, as tallied by investigators from the USPS Office of Inspector General.
The charge of theft of government money could land Hedges in prison for up to 10 years with an added three years of supervised release, and possibly a $250,000 fine, if convicted. Sentencing, however, will be at the discretion of a federal district court judge based on established guidelines and relevant statutes, said Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi in their announcement.
While the charges loom large for Hedges, the legal system upholds her presumption of innocence until proven guilty. The indictment holds as allegations, until judged beyond reasonable doubt in the framework of a court of law. Hedges' case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris, Deputy Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit.
