United States Attorney Andrew T. Baxter
Northern District of New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Andrew T. Baxter
Thursday, May 14, 2009
(315) 448-0672
http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nyn

U.S. POSTAL WORKER SENTENCED ON FRAUD CHARGES

Acting United States Attorney Andrew T. Baxter announced today that Antoinette Casciano, 47, of East Syracuse, New York, was sentenced yesterday Wednesday, May 13, 2009, in U.S. District Court in Syracuse, New York to 5 years probation, 4 months of home confinement, and 100 hours of community service in connection with her pleas of guilty to defrauding the federal Worker’s Compensation system and the Social Security Administration of disability benefits. As part of her
sentence the defendant is required to pay restitution to the United States Postal Service in the amount of $163,776.83 and a special assessment of $200 to the court.

On November 24, 2008, Casciano pled guilty and admitted that she a made false written statement in connection with the receipt of worker’s compensation benefits and made false written statements in connection with a request for disability benefits. Casciano admitted that she submitted forms to the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs beginning in 2002, falsely representing in each form that she was unable to work due to a work-related injury occurring on or about January 28, 2002. In fact, Casciano was working from 2002 until 2008 as a hairdresser and failed to report her employment activities or income
derived therefrom. Casciano had been employed as a mail-processing clerk at the U.S. Postal Service, Syracuse Processing and Distribution Center on East Taft Road.

As part of her plea of guilty, Casciano was ordered to pay restitution to the United States Postal Service in the amount of $163,776.83, which represents the total amount of worker’s compensation benefits paid to her during the period she worked and falsely represented her inability to work.

This case was jointly investigated by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (“USPS-OIG”); Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General (“SSAOIG”); and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (“USDOL-OIG”). This prosecution was handled in the United States Attorney’s Office by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael C. Olmsted and Tamara B. Thomson. Further inquiries can be directed to the United States Attorney’s Office at 315-448-0672.