Oregon: Postal Worker Steals to Fund Gambling Addiction

Portland postal worker sentenced for taking $135,000 blames gambling addiction

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS First Posted: June 12, 2013 - 9:29 am Last Updated: June 12, 2013 - 9:32 am

PORTLAND, Oregon — A Portland postal worker who took $135,000 in postal funds blamed a gambling addiction when she was sentenced in federal court to a year-and-a-half in prison.

Lavon Mendoza-Cruz also must pay restitution.

The Oregonian reports (http://is.gd/YzDM84 ) the 43-year-old pleaded guilty in February to a charge of misappropriation of postal funds. She took about 200 checks over a three-year period.

Mendoza-Cruz apologized in court for letting down her family and co-workers. She said she started gambling for entertainment and it became an obsession.

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/eeec3a5c4aaa41478a9b5ee062aa60e9/OR--Postal-Worker-Sentenced/