DOJ: Office in Charge sentenced to 3 years’ probation, to pay $8K

MADISON, WIS. — John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced that Jason L. Nichols, 30, Rewey, Wis., was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Lynn S. Adelman to three years of probation for fraudulently issuing money orders, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,000.  Nichols pleaded guilty to this charge on April 15, 2014.

Jason Nichols was the Officer-in-Charge at the Post Office in Cobb, Wis. from July 2012 until April 25, 2013.  A comparison of money orders issued at the Cobb Post Office between October 2012 and April 25, 2013 revealed at least 70 money orders that were reported as sold on the daily financial record, but were not deposited to the bank until weeks later. 

On April 25, 2013, agents interviewed Nichols at the Cobb Post Office.  Nichols admitted to borrowing money from the Post Office to pay for personal expenses.  An audit revealed that the total loss to the Cobb Post Office was approximately $8,000.

The charge against Nichols was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General.  The prosecution of the case has been handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Reinhard.