Postman steals $443,000 in tax returns along route

CAMDEN, N.J. — Earl Champagne pleaded guilty to stealing more than $400,000 in income tax refund checks from people along his New Jersey mail route.

Champagne worked for the Postal Service for nearly 20 years. He delivered mail in Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Champagne admitted to stealing 72 Department of Treasury checks worth $443,000 and giving them to other people, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said. Those people paid Champagne $50 for each stolen check, Fishman said.

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Champagne pleaded guilty to theft of U.S. mail and theft of government property Friday.

Cox Media Group