Former Burlington County Mailman Admits Stealing Income Tax Checks: U.S. Attorney

A former U.S. Postal employee from Burlington County has admitted his role in a conspiracy to steal income tax refund checks from the mail, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said Friday afternoon.

Earl Champagne, 47, of Willingboro, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of theft of U.S. Mail and one count of theft of government money.

Champagne was a mailman assigned to Pennsauken from 1995 to November 2014, according to documents filed in this case and statements made in court.

He admitted that between March and July of 2014, he stole U.S. Treasury Checks from the mail and gave them to others.

He said two people asked him to steal checks from the mail in exchange for money. They told Champagne that the checks were IRS checks and that they would mostly be addressed to individuals with “Spanish” names.

One person was identified as being from Merchantville and one was from Maple Shade, but neither was named as a defendant in the case.

Champagne would either bring the checks to them, or tell them when the checks were in the mail so they could pick them up themselves.

Champagne was paid $50 for every check stolen from the mail. Champagne admitted that he stole 72 U.S. checks totaling $442,776.

He faces for every check stolen from the mail. Champagne admitted that he stole 72 U.S. checks totaling $442,776.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3.