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John Durham, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that former USPS employee Michelle Barbeau, of Brooklyn, and James Lebel were arrested this week for offenses related to the theft of the money orders.
The indictment charges that while employed at the Wauregan Post Office in Plainfield, between April and September last year, the two conspired to take blank U.S. Postal money orders from the post office and imprint them in various denominations. Lebel then cashed more than $60,000 in fraudulent checks at other post offices.
Both Barbeau, 51, and Lebel, 40, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Lebel was also charged with four additional counts of wire fraud. Each charge carries a maximum term of up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Following arraignment, Barbeau was released on $100,000 bond. Lebel remains detained, pending a hearing on Sept. 26.
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