A U.S. Postal Service employee has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $10,000 in workers’ compensation benefits intended for his former girlfriend’s deceased mother, according to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General’s Office.
Thomas Malicki, 28, of Kenmore, pleaded guilty June 23 in Village of Kenmore Justice Court to one count of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.
As part of his sentence, Malicki paid full restitution of $9,776.52 and received a one-year conditional discharge.
According to investigators, Malicki stole, endorsed, and deposited 18 workers’ compensation wage reimbursement checks that were mailed to his then-girlfriend’s mother after her death. The thefts occurred between September 2020 and July 2021.
Authorities said Malicki attempted to conceal the scheme by using the stolen funds to purchase U.S. Postal Service money orders before spending the money on personal expenses.
The investigation concluded that Malicki fraudulently obtained $9,776.52 in workers’ compensation benefits to which he was not entitled.
Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General Lucy Lang said workers’ compensation benefits are intended to support employees who are legitimately injured on the job and that fraud undermines both the program and public trust.
“Workers’ compensation benefits are a vital lifeline for people who are legitimately injured on the job, and fraud against the system undermines both its integrity and public trust,” Lang said.
Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s Northeast Area Field Office, said postal employees are expected to uphold the public’s trust and that theft involving workers’ compensation benefits is taken seriously.
The investigation was conducted by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General’s Office in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, the New York State Police, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
