Former DeWitt Post Office station manager Emilio Chirico sentenced to six months in prison for stealing over eighty thousand dollars in postage stamps

Syracuse, New York – A former DeWitt Post Office station manager has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for defrauding the Postal Service of tens of thousands of dollars. Emilio Chirico, 57, of Cicero, New York, was sentenced on October 29 in federal court in Utica after previously pleading guilty to wire fraud and misappropriation of postal funds. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS-OIG).

Chirico, who served as the station manager at the DeWitt Post Office since March 2012, admitted that over a period of more than two years—from January 2021 through March 2023—he stole $81,553.94 worth of postage stamps. To cover his actions, he falsified postal records, attempting to make it appear that the missing stamps were accounted for. According to prosecutors, these actions represented a serious breach of trust, undermining the integrity of a federal institution charged with serving the public.

In addition to the prison term, Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd ordered Chirico to pay a total of $81,553.94 in restitution and a forfeiture money judgment of the same amount. A $5,500 fine was also imposed, and Chirico will be placed on a two-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment. These penalties are intended both to hold Chirico accountable and to recover the public funds he misappropriated.

Read also: Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announces the 2025 holiday concert series featuring local student musicians and festive performances

“Public servants are entrusted with the responsibility to serve their communities with honesty and integrity. Mr. Chirico chose instead to abuse that trust for his own personal gain. Today’s sentence makes clear that no one who steals from the public—no matter their position—will escape accountability. My office will continue to work tirelessly with our law-enforcement partners to protect taxpayer funds and uphold the integrity of our federal institutions,” Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone said in a statement.

The investigation and subsequent prosecution of Chirico illustrate the critical role of oversight agencies in maintaining transparency and accountability within federal services. USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi emphasized the ongoing commitment of postal investigators to root out fraud and misconduct within the Postal Service. “The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General will continue to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and its personnel. Our office will continue to vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who violate the public’s trust. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG and the U.S Attorney’s Office Northern District of New York to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great longstanding relationships we have with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to combat fraud,” Modafferi said.

The case was thoroughly investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tamara B. Thomson, Michael F. Perry, and Melissa O. Rothbart. It highlights the careful coordination between investigative and prosecutorial teams in addressing fraud and mismanagement, particularly when public funds are involved.

Read also: Study reveals how analog computing delivers faster solutions to complex signal processing challenges

Chirico’s scheme, which involved the theft of postage stamps and the manipulation of official records, underscores the vulnerabilities that can exist even within well-established institutions. By falsifying records over an extended period, he attempted to conceal actions that eventually came to light thanks to meticulous investigative work. Federal authorities stressed that such misconduct carries serious legal consequences, and this sentencing demonstrates that accountability extends to all levels of public service.

The sentencing also serves as a reminder to other federal employees about the consequences of abusing their positions. With public trust at the core of government operations, both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the USPS-OIG have reinforced their commitment to ensuring that employees act with integrity and that violations of that trust are swiftly addressed.

For the community and postal patrons, the resolution of this case reinforces confidence that federal agencies are actively monitoring operations and holding employees accountable for misconduct. Chirico’s conviction is a clear message that even those entrusted with safeguarding public resources are not above the law, and that rigorous oversight continues to protect taxpayers and the integrity of federal institutions.