OAKLAND, Calif. – Emmanuel Odion Esezobor was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of one count of theft of public money and seven counts of passing counterfeit U.S. obligations, United States Attorney Melinda Haag, Special Agent in Charge Nichole Cooper of the Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s Pacific Area Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Andrew Adelmann of the U.S. Secret Service San Francisco Field Office announced.

The jury found that Esezobor stole $13,800 from the U.S. Postal Service and passed counterfeit bills at the Alamo Post Office on seven different days in February and March 2011. The guilty verdict followed a 3-day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken.

Evidence at trial showed that Esezobor, 51 of Hayward, Calif., issued himself $13,800 worth of U.S. postal money orders and purported to pay for those money orders with counterfeit $100 bills. Esezobor knew these bills were counterfeit and had passed similar counterfeit bills at his credit union in Hayward in November 2010.

“Today’s verdict sends a clear message that theft by a postal employee is a very serious crime and will not be tolerated,” Special Agent in Charge Cooper of the Postal Service Office of Inspector General said. “The overwhelming majority of Postal Service employees are honest, trustworthy individuals. But when a postal employee, such as Mr. Esezobor, betrays that trust, Postal Service Office of Inspector General Special Agents vigorously investigate those matters. This conviction reflects the continuing commitment of both the OIG and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring to account those who violate the law.”

Special Agent in Charge Adelmann of the Secret Service added, “This verdict reinforces the effectiveness law enforcement partnerships and collaboration on joint investigations has on addressing serious violations of federal law.”

Esezobor was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 14, 2011.

The sentencing of Esezobor is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Claudia Wilken in Oakland. The maximum statutory penalty for theft of public money, in violation 18 U.S.C. § 641, is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The maximum statutory penalty for each count of passing counterfeit U.S. obligations, in violation 18 U.S.C. § 472, is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.

Brian Lewis and Joshua Hill are the Assistant U.S. Attorneys who are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Noble Hughes, Janice Pagsanjan, and Vanessa Vargas. The prosecution is the result of a year-long investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Secret Service.

via Press Release – United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California.

President Guffey is asking APWU members to collect signatures on a petition to Congress urging senators and representatives to oppose USPS plans to close post offices, shutter mail processing facilities, and drastically degrade service to the American people.

In a letter to state and local presidents dated Oct. 26, 2011, President Guffey wrote, “It is urgent that we bring as much political pressure as possible to bear against the Postal Service’s plans to dismantle its network of processing, distribution and retail facilities.”

In addition to the petition, the letter includes a flyer with the message, “ Closing Post Offices & Mail Processing Centers and Cutting Service is Wrong.”

“No company can grow or even maintain its business by cutting its service. But that’s exactly what the Postal Service is proposing to do,” the flyer says.

In July, the USPS announced plans to close 3,700 post offices; in September, management announced plans to close 252 of approximately 460 mail processing centers.

In early October, the Postal Service posted a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to revise service commitments, eliminate overnight delivery of first-class mail and change two-day delivery to three days.

The proposed change in service standards acknowledges what the Postal Service has repeatedly denied: Slashing the mail processing network will result in drastic cuts in service to the American people.

“Reducing the scope and quality of service will not restore the Postal Service to health. It would likely drive mailers away and therefore worsen the Postal Service’s financial problems,” Guffey said.

“If every APWU member filled up one petition, we would have nearly two million signatures,” the letter notes.

The APWU is requesting that locals act at once to make this petition drive a success. Completed petitions should be sent by Nov. 14 to:

Save America’s Postal Service
American Postal Workers Union
1300 L Street NW
Washington DC 20005.

The national union will make sure that House and Senate members receive petitions collected in their districts or states.

Petition Form

Petition Drive Flyer

eBay’s government relations office has started an online petition to ask Congress to support the US Postal Service. A statement on the petition page says “eBay supports financial relief for the USPS and forward-thinking policies to restructure the postal service and keep shipping rates affordable. It is imperative that eBay small businesses have access to low-cost, reliable shipping alternatives.”

Dear Senator/Representative:

Please take swift action to provide relief to the United States Postal Service (USPS). It’s very important that U.S. postal operations remain strong and solvent to ensure small Internet-enabled businesses have access to affordable shipping rates.

Small businesses depend on the affordable and reliable services provided by the USPS to get their products to customers. Together, e-commerce retailers constitute a USPS “super user,” and have helped offset some of the decline in traditional mail by generating increasing numbers of products for delivery. In fact, the Census Bureau has noted that e-commerce retail sales to consumers reached an all-time high in 2009, with total sales of $145 billion. And that number continues to grow as more and more businesses use the Internet to reach a new consumer base.

As online retail grows, affordable and competitive shipping rates are more and more important to the industry. Affordable shipping rates are particularly important to small e-commerce retailers that compete with large online and multi-channel retailers. Already, small businesses do not enjoy the same volume-based shipping rates that larger retailers command. This price difference is a challenge for small business retailers competing in a world of big retailers. Increases to USPS shipping rates would further jeopardize small retailers’ competitiveness.

It is essential that any restructuring of the USPS preserve competition in the marketplace, while ensuring affordable and timely shipping options. I urge you to support small online businesses by passing legislation that would provide relief to the USPS and retain competitive, affordable shipping rates for small businesses.

Sincerely,

via eBay Main Street Online Petition – Review Petition Text.

From the Bradenton Herald:

The U.S. Postal Service announced Monday that it has completed its study of mail processing operations at the Manasota Processing & Distribution Center.

“This was a careful review,” said District Manager David Patterson in a press release, “and we have determined that there will be no significant changes made at this time.”

via Manasota postal facility in Tallevast will remain open – Local – BradentonHerald.com.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Postal Service has teamed with one of the nation’s leading companies producing decorative and commercial products to sell the 2011 White House Holiday Ornament at approximately 7,000 Post Offices across the country.

ChemArt of Lincoln, RI, has been the sole manufacturer of the annual White House Christmas ornament since the program inception in 1981, and was given exclusive retail distribution rights by the White House Historical Association. ChemArt and the association are proud to present the 36th ornament in the association’s series, which recalls the administration of President Theodore Roosevelt, his wife Edith and the couple’s young family when they called the White House home from 1901 until 1909.

"We anticipate that the ornament will be very popular — especially among collectors," said Steven Mills, manager, USPS Retail Products. "Our vast retail presence will enable the product to reach a broader audience than ever before."

The 2011 White House Holiday Christmas Ornament is now available at select Post Offices until Christmas Day for $24.99.

Also, under a licensing agreement, ChemArt will manufacture and sell holiday ornaments in 2012 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Postal Service’s Letters to Santa program. In 2013, under the agreement, ChemArt will introduce licensed Holiday ornaments based on more than 50 years of Postal Service holiday stamp images.

"All of the ornaments will be made in the USA and will be sold in Post Offices and commercial retail channels," said Gary Thuro, manager, USPS Licensing. "We are pleased to bring quality products to our customers and generate revenue for the Postal Service."

Customers can view an image of the collectible envelope on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

For 30 years, ChemArt has served as the premiere designer and manufacturer of photo-chemically etched decorative ornaments and collectibles in the United States. Since its inception in 1976, ChemArt has been a fully integrated company combining multiple technologies – etching, plating, screen printing – under one roof to control the quality of the decorative and commercial products they make. Their designers develop custom products for decoration and industry; and take pride in the fact that they are 100% handmade in America. Whether as a thank you gift, fundraising vehicle, precision part or commemorative piece, ChemArt understands what it means to have heart at the core of your organization.

via United States Postal Service to Sell 2011 White House Ornament — WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ –.

WASHINGTON D.C. – As the United States Postal Service considers closing 71 offices in Colorado, Reps. Gardner and Tipton are urging its chief executive to keep in mind possible alternatives.

During a joint meeting with Post Master General Patrick Donahoe yesterday, Gardner and Tipton’s offices reiterated their concerns about the impact closures will have on rural businesses and communities. Out of 71 post offices under review by the USPS for closure in Colorado – 61 fall within the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts.

After the meeting, Gardner and Tipton released the following joint statement:

"We acknowledge that the USPS is in need of systematic reforms, and we understand that General Donahoe has some tough decisions ahead of him. It is our hope, however, that as part of General Donahoe’s decision making process he consider other alternatives. General Donahue has indicated that the total savings nationwide that would result from the closure of all of the post offices listed in the discontinuance study would be in the range of $150-200 million annually, a fraction of the Postal Service’s $73 billion annual operating costs. It is clear that if the USPS is going to make the fundamental changes necessary to compete, it should look somewhere other than rural post offices."

Donahoe told Gardner and Tipton that he would work with their offices as the Postal Service seeks to make the fundamental changes necessary to survive in today’s competitive economic environment.

Earlier this month, Gardner and Tipton also wrote a letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission outlining the negative impact post office closures will have on rural communities.

"Traveling to distant postal facilities in the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts during winter months could be extremely difficult, expensive and dangerous," the pair wrote. "Some post offices that appear to be in geographic proximity are in reality not readily accessible. Finally, some of these post offices that seem to service a proportionately small population are essential to the existence of small isolated communities. The potential effect of these closures should involve significant consideration of the individual or unique characteristics of the respective communities served."

From the National League of Postmasters:

Postal Service files for final rule with regard to 39 CFR Part 241

On Wednesday, October 26 the Postal Service filed a final rule with the Federal Register amending regulations with regard to Post Office closings. This final rule adopts changes to the staffing of Post Offices and to the definition of “consolidation”. The proposed changes would be effective December 1, 2011.

This is a very serious amendment to regulations impacting Postmasters and Post Offices. The LEAGUE and NAPUS has been in contact with our legal counsel and they are reviewing the proposed change. We will be discussing all options available to us. As more information becomes available we will bring you up to date.

The following is the history of the proposed rules changes.

April 28, 2011 the two organizations sent a letter to the PRC expressing our views on the proposed changes along with a legal opinion letter from Hal Hughes former General Counsel to the Postal Service…

May 23, 2011 the LEAGUE and NAPUS two retired Postmasters filed a formal complaint before the Postal Regulatory Commission PRC…

July 14, 2011 – Post Office issues Publication on Final Rule on Retail Discontinuance Actions…

via National League of Postmasters – Homepage.

From USPS News Link:

There are no national elections this year. But plenty of jurisdictions around the U.S. are holding municipal or state-wide elections this fall. If there’s an election in your area, remember to review provisions of the Hatch Act. It applies to all postal employees — including telecommuters.

Among other provisions, this federal law prohibits employees from engaging in political activity while on duty, in any government office, while wearing an official uniform or while using a government vehicle.

That means no shirts and no hats, buttons or other items displaying the name or likeness of a candidate or political party. The law also prohibits partisan political messages in the workplace.

Using a postal computer or telephone to make a political contribution is prohibited by the Hatch Act, as is making political contributions while on the clock. Employees who use USPS email to send partisan political messages violate federal law and risk losing their jobs. Employees who receive email containing such messages from outside the postal network should immediately delete them.

Employees can place political bumper stickers on their personal vehicles. However, there are limitations. If the car is parked on postal or other government property, the Hatch Act limits to one the number of visible bumper stickers that can be placed on the vehicle. If the vehicle is used for postal business, the employee must cover all political bumper stickers during the time the car is used for official work.

Employees aren’t completely prohibited from participating in the political process. They can register to vote and can support their favorite candidates by voting on Election Day. Employees can participate in registration drives and contribute money to political organizations. They also can be candidates for public office, but only in nonpartisan elections.

Click here to learn more about the Hatch Act. Employees also can contact their local Field Law Office for more information, call the Ethics Helpline at 202-268-6346 or send an email to Posted in postal | 6 Comments »