PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of making false claims against the United States Postal Service, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The seven-count indictment named David Cooper, 62, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, from on or about Sept. 3, 2009, to on or about Sept. 25, 2009, Cooper, who had a mail hauling contract with the United States Postal Service, made seven false claims against the Postal Service by submitting claims for mileage that neither he nor his employees drove.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of 35 years in prison, a fine of $1,750,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Lee J. Karl is prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.