Former Bridgeport Mail Carrier Pleads Guilty In Postal Theft Case

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 46-year-old Bridgeport man, who is a former U.S. postal mail carrier, waived his right to be indicted and pleaded guilty Tuesday to theft of mail by a postal employee, announced U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

Umberto Pignataro pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport. In addition to Avery, Matthew Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, also announced the guilty plea.

According to court documents and statements, Pignataro was employed as a mail carrier out of the Norwalk branch between December 2020 and May 2021. During his brief tenure, he stole "hundreds of pieces of mail, including packages and greeting cards that contained cash, gift cards and other items of value," according to prosecutors.

During the investigation, video surveillance captured Pignataro rifling through, destroying and pocketing pieces of mail while servicing his mail route. When confronted by investigators in May 2021, Pignataro admitted stealing mail, and also admitted that he possessed a firearm and used cocaine at work. He was then placed on unpaid leave.

At sentencing, which is scheduled for November 17, Pignataro faces a maximum term of imprisonment of five years. He is currently free pending sentencing.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine E. Boyles and Michael S. McGarry.

U.S. Attorney Avery encouraged individuals who believe they are a victim of theft related to this case to file a complaint by calling888-USPS-OIG, or by visiting www.uspsoig.gov/form/file-online-complaint.