Ex-worker pleads in theft

LAFAYETTE — A former U.S. Postal Service worker pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to stealing money from the Jefferson Street Post Office.

Between July 2009 and February 2010, Natalie Thomas stole between $1,000 and $17,662 while working at a retail service window at 101 Jefferson St., according to documents filed in connection with her plea.

Thomas was often responsible for “closing out” the retail window at the close of business each day, which meant she had responsibility for verifying and depositing all funds in the cash drawers at the retail window, according to her plea form.

Thomas admitted to fraudulently issuing and cashing money orders and taking unreported money while working at the retail service window, her plea form states.

Thomas, who was employed with the U.S. Postal Service from May 2006 through June 2010, also manually changed daily financial records in the postal accounting database in order to disguise end-of-day cash shortages and overages caused by the theft, her plea form states.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office charged Thomas in February with one count of theft of money from an agency of the United States.

She faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years in jail and a $250,000 fine.