YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio –
A post office employee accused of stealing at least 1,500 gift cards from the mail worth at least $47,000 is in the Mahoning County jail.
Jennifer Riccardi, 46, of Cleveland is scheduled to appear before a federal judge on Tuesday who will consider a motion to revoke her bond.
Riccardi, who worked at the main mail processing center in Cleveland and her live-in companion 37-year-old Joseph Dennis, were indicted in December for a conspiracy in which she allegedly stole the gift cards.
The two face charges including conspiracy to commit theft of mail and possession of stolen mail, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, possession of stolen mail and access device fraud. Riccardi was also charged with theft of mail by a postal employee.
“This defendant is accused of stealing more than a thousand gift cards worth tens thousands of dollars, including birthday presents or other gifts people entrusted to the postal service for delivery to their family and loved ones,” according to U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman.
In one night alone, Riccardi is accused of stealing more than 100 greeting cards. Among the stolen mail that was opened was a card from a mother to her daughter signed “Love you! Mom” and a card from an uncle and aunt wishing a “Happy 1st Birthday.”