Louisiana USPS manager stole over $630K worth of stamps, sold them on eBay
11/15/18 NEW ORLEANS – United States Attorney Peter G. Strasser announced yesterday that RYAN S. CORTEZ, former Supervisor and Manager of Customer Service Operations at the North Kenner Post Office located at 390 West Esplanade Avenue, was charged in a Bill of Information for Misappropriation of Postal Funds. CORTEZ, age 46, of Des Allemands, Louisiana, was arrested in October 2018 by special agents with the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“Postal OIG”).
According to court records, Postal OIG agents were notified by PayPal and eBay regarding significant quantities of U.S. Postal stamps being sold by CORTEZ on eBay. A subsequent investigation by Postal OIG revealed that, as manager, Cortez had increased the North Kenner Post Office’s reserve stamp stock by more than $600,000. Subpoenaed records from Cortez’s Regions Bank account revealed substantial deposits, including more than $58,000 in a one-month period in the summer of 2018.
During their investigation, Postal OIG agents determined CORTEZ withdrew thousands of dollars on a regular basis at the Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans. Harrah’s records revealed CORTEZ lost over $667,000 since 2011 and lost over $220,000 in 2017. Postal records indicate CORTEZ earned an annual salary of $70,818.
On October 10, 2018, Postal OIG special agents executed a federal search warrant issued by a federal magistrate judge at CORTEZ’s residence in Des Allemands.
In total, Postal records reveal that CORTEZ stole over $630,000 in U.S. stamps and sold them on eBay. According to Postal authorities, CORTEZ’s illegal activities constitute one of the largest internal Postal thefts by a Postal Service employee in the history of the U.S. Postal Service.
U. S. Attorney Strasser reiterated that a Bill of Information is merely a charge and that the guilt of a defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
If convicted, CORTEZ faces a maximum penalty of ten (10) years imprisonment, followed by up to three (3) years of supervised release, and a $250,000.00 fine.
This case was investigated by special agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”). The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian M. Klebba, Supervisor of the Financial Crimes Unit.
Louisiana USPS manager stole over $630K worth of stamps, sold them on eBay
Jim.
USPS did not move on theft until EBay & PayPal had suspended supervisor’s account for obvious illegal activity.
Every USPS person responsible for over sight of postal finances is involved in this conspiracy. Starting with US Postal Inspectors. Time to call DoJ & get the big prisoner transport bus.
He’s a Supervisor, he’ll get his job back. Supervisors are not held accountable.
Our great leader should appoint him to head agency protecting consumer affairs. He has proven he can function in our nations capital!
So “insider job” investigation is being investigated by insiders? Yeah. No conflict of intrest here. Move along.
LOL
LOL!!!
Another failed diversity hire.
Please tell me , in light of the checks and balances in Postal accountability regulations such as the F-1and F-15 , how over $630,000 is stolen before
you and this person’s managers have a clue?