Richard S. Hartunian, United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, announced that DONNA HAMMOND-HAYES, age 53, of Vermont, was sentenced Friday, January 5, 2013 in the United States District Court in Syracuse, New York before the Hon. Andrew T. Baxter. HAMMOND- HAYES was sentenced to three years probation in connection with her plea of guilty to Misappropriation of Postal Funds in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1711. HAMMOND- HAYES was also ordered to pay $4,729.02 in restitution, perform 50 hours of community service, and pay a special assessment of $25.

On July 30, 2012, HAMMOND- HAYES admitted that while working at the Kernan Station Post Office in Utica, New York, she embezzled money from the Post Office. During the plea, HAMMOND-HAYES admitted that she received cash from a customer for a sale of merchandise, and later, after the post office was closed, processed a refund for the return of the merchandise, and embezzled the money entrusted to her as an employee of the USPS. As part of the plea, HAMMOND-HAYES agreed to pay $4,729.02 to the USPS as audits of the post office revealed numerous questionable refunds processed by HAMMOND-HAYES and shortages in the overall cash and stamp stock.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. This prosecution was handled in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara B. Thomson. Further information can be directed to the United States Attorney’s Office at (315) 448-0672.