A Petersburgh, New York man has been sentenced to a fate not behind bars, but laden with community service, supervision, and financial penalty for his fraudulent escapade with money orders. Matthew Dundas, 26, has been given two years of probation, accompanied by 80 hours of community service and a $4,000 fine for his unauthorized financial dealings during his employment at the United States Postal Service, as declared by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG).
In the legal proceedings leading to Dundas' sentencing, which took place on January 14, he conceded to issuing 105 money orders to himself, a move that surreptitiously siphoned $76,976.61 from the United States treasury without the exchange of real funds. According to a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York, Dundas repaid the stolen money prior to admitting his guilt.
"Government employees stealing from taxpayer dollars is an egregious betrayal of the public trust and will be met with swift and decisive action," Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III conveyed in a statement. Sarcone's message reflects an unyielding stance against corruption within the ranks of public service, pledging continued effort to uncover and handle such fraudulent behavior.
Assurance came also from the USPS-OIG, through Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi, who reinforced the agency's commitment to integrity: “When a Postal Service employee decides to break the public’s trust and participates in criminal acts, USPS OIG Special Agents will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.” Modafferi’s statement, intimating a rigorous pursuit of internal crimes, suggests an uncompromising position on protecting not just the mail, but an entire system of trust placed in its guardians, as per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case, laying bare the misuse of a position of trust for financial gain, was investigated thoroughly by the USPS-OIG, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping saw the prosecution through.
