Postal Supervisor From Delran Accused Of Embezzlement

A Delran man has been charged with abusing his position as a U.S. Postal Service supervisor to steal cash deposits, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said on Thursday.

Amar D. Patel, 35, is charged by complaint with knowingly embezzling, stealing, purloining, and converting to his use U.S. Postal Service funds exceeding $1,000. He is on temporary leave without pay, pending internal employment action.

Patel was the supervisor at post offices in Delran, Delanco and Riverside, according to the complaint. In July of last year, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General started investigating shortages in cash deposits at all three post offices.

During the investigation, Patel was caught on hidden surveillance camera stealing money from a sealed deposit bank at the Riverside location, authorities said.

According to U.S. Postal Service financial records and bank deposit records, the Riverside office’s deposit was short $1,650 that day.

Based on this and other information, Patel is accused of stealing $15,700 in U.S. Postal Service funds on 12 separate occasions from Feb. 20, 2016, through Jan. 14, 2017.

The embezzlement charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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