Mailman Admits Holding Mail for 6 Years

Since 2001, former postal worker Steven M. Padgett delivered mail to Route 32 in Apex, North Carolina… or not. On May 6, 2008, Padgett admitted to investigators that he had been holding mail addressed to more than 250 people for the past five to six years.

On Aug. 18, 2008, Padgett, a postal worker since 1995, pled guilty to charges of delay or destruction of mail. He could be sentenced to up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00 or both, and three years of supervised release.

In a press release, prosecuting U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding stated, "This is one of the most egregious cases we have seen regarding the failure of a postal employee to perform his duties and to interfere with the proper delivery of the U.S. mail. But it is also important that we note it is an exception to the rule as we recognize the hard work and integrity of the vast majority of postal employees."

Indeed, U.S. Postal Service employees conscientiously and successfully deliver more than 700 million pieces of mail to their proper destinations every day.

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