Press Release from US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota

A United States Postal Service (“USPS”) employee was indicted in federal court for allegedly stealing and cashing approximately 80 money orders totaling more than $41,000 for her personal use. The indictment, which was filed with the U.S. District Court earlier today, charges Linda Kay Johnson, age 60, of Lewisville, with one count of fraudulently issuing money orders and one count of false entries and reports of money.

The indictment alleges Johnson issued the money orders from August 9, 2008, through December 4, 2008. In addition, it alleges she deceived the USPS by making false entries in the office books to cover up the loss.

If convicted, Johnson faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the false entries count and five years on the fraudulently issuing money orders count. All sentences are determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Service-Office of Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erika R. Mozangue.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been
committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven
guilty at trial.