Two former employees of the U.S. Postal Service who worked at the Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center have been charged with stealing over $80 million in U.S. Treasury checks, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Tauheed Tucker, 23, and Saahir Irby, 27, both former USPS mail processing clerks, allegedly stole thousands of envelopes containing Treasury checks while on the job.
In addition to Tucker and Irby, Cory Scott, 25, from Ardmore, and Alexander Telewoda, 25, from Clifton Heights, were charged with conspiracy to steal government funds, theft of government funds, and mail theft.
The indictment states that Tucker and Irby sold the stolen checks to Scott and Telewoda. Scott and Telewoda then promoted the checks for sale on the messaging platform Telegram.
After receiving payments from buyers, Scott and Telewoda mailed the checks to them. The buyers, unaware that the checks were stolen, attempted to cash them.
Officials revealed the total face value of the stolen checks exceeded $80 million, with approximately $11 million successfully negotiated at banks by the buyers.
Separately, Irby faces additional charges of mail theft related to another incident involving stolen Treasury checks.
All four individuals could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
