Postal Worker Stole Workers’ Compensation Checks Sent to Girlfriend’s Mother

A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) employee has been sentenced on charges that he defrauded the New York workers’ compensation system of nearly $10,000 by stealing wage reimbursement checks intended for his then-girlfriend’s deceased mother.

New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General Lucy Lang announced the guilty plea and sentencing of Thomas O. Malicki of Kenmore, NY. He paid full restitution of $9,776.52 and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.

The state’s investigation found that between September 2020 and July 2021, Malicki stole, endorsed, and deposited 18 workers’ compensation benefit checks mailed to his then-girlfriend’s mother after she passed away.

Prosecutors said that in an attempt to conceal his actions, Malicki used the stolen funds to purchase USPS money orders before using the money for personal expenses.

“Postal Service employees are expected to uphold the public’s trust both on and off duty,” said Matthew Modafferi, special agent for the USPS Inspector General.