Greeting Card Sting Ends in Postal Worker Plea Deal

A Wisconsin postal worker has pleaded guilty to charges she stole over 6,000 greeting cards from residents on her route in the city of Wauwatosa. As part of a plea deal, Ebony Smith of Milwaukee admitted to taking the cards and pocketing between $50 and $100 per week. Per the Journal Sentinel, Smith said she took the money in order to pay bills and support her four children. Smith's actions were discovered after suspicious residents contacted the USPS and an investigation was opened in January. Per the Atlanta Journal Constitution, a special envelope was planted with Smith's deliveries for the day along with a $20 bill. When Smith opened it, the investigators were alerted. Dozens of cards were subsequently found in her possession.

At some point thereafter, a minivan was towed to a lot where mechanics decided to scrap it in July. Inside, authorities say they found a massive trove of USPS mail, along with several pieces that bore Smith's name and address. The van reportedly contained 6,625 greeting card envelopes and 540 personal checks. Smith is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. (More mail stories.)