Daily printout: Sept. 30

The Postal Service dedicated its latest Kwanzaa stamp on Sept. 23 in Norfolk, VA.

The ceremony took place during the annual conference of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).

“This new Kwanzaa stamp is not only a wonderful affirmation of African American culture, it will also make a beautiful, heartwarming addition to your cards and letters,” said Norfolk, VA, Postmaster Matthew Toman, who served as the dedicating official. “With every new design, I continue to be amazed by the creativity of our artists and designers and their ability to capture the essence of Kwanzaa.”

Established in the United States in 1966, Kwanzaa draws on ancient and modern first-harvest festivities from across the African continent. The name is derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits.”

Today, millions of Americans observe the week-long cultural celebration from Dec. 26-Jan. 1. Each day is dedicated to one of seven core principles: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani).

Joining Toman for the ceremony were mistress of ceremonies Janine Bell, president and artistic director of the Elegba Folklore Society; Kaye Whitehead, president-elect of ASALH; Cassandra Newby-Alexander, historian and author; and Crystal Sessoms, founder and director of Seedahope Productions.

Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp with an original illustration by Cannaday Chapman.

The artwork depicts a father holding his young daughter, both dressed in traditional African clothing. The palette of pink, green and yellow was inspired by the vibrant colors found in West African Ankara textiles.

The Forever stamp is available in sheets of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.

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A U.S. Treasury check-stealing scheme at the Postal Service’s New York International Service Center at John F. Kennedy Airport has landed two former USPS employees in prison.

In 2023, a U.S. bank reported that 1,500 checks it had mailed were never delivered to the intended recipients. The bank said the checks, valued at $700,000, were fraudulently cashed, and filed complaints with the Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General, or OIG, as well as the Postal Inspection Service and the New York City Police Department.

OIG special agents initiated an investigation.

The break in the case came when NYPD officers made a routine traffic stop of an off-duty USPS employee. When they searched his vehicle, they found a loaded firearm and a $225,000 Treasury check made out to a Hong Kong resident.

OIG special agents, along with investigators from the U.S. Secret Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, found that the suspect was a mail processing clerk at the JFK international service center. This facility processes half of the country’s international mail, and the employee had unfettered access to checks moving into and out of the country.

A search of his residence turned up 11 Treasury checks and five bank-issued checks — none of which were addressed to him — and nearly $5,000 in cash.

OIG agents and postal inspectors found that the processing clerk had been stealing Treasury checks from the JFK facility and teaming with another USPS employee to sell them through social media for a portion of their face value. Three other co-conspirators not employed by the Postal Service were falsely endorsing the checks, depositing them into a bank account and then withdrawing the proceeds.

The two now-former USPS employees had stolen and sold 125 checks valued at $4.5 million. They were charged with conspiring to steal government funds, theft of government funds and possession of stolen mail. The processing clerk was also charged with theft of mail by a Postal Service employee.

The clerk was sentenced to five years in federal prison and ordered to forfeit $100,000, while the other USPS employee was given a one-year sentence and ordered to forfeit $58,000.

The other three co-conspirators were charged in separate cases for fraudulently depositing the stolen checks. Two of them received prison time and were ordered to pay back $82,000. The third is awaiting sentencing.

“[These sentences] will serve as a reminder that there are severe consequences when individuals commit crimes targeting the U.S. Mail,” said Matthew Modafferi, OIG special agent in charge.

The OIG recently highlighted the case on its website.

If you suspect or know of mail theft or check fraud involving USPS employees or contractors, report it to the OIG.