Buffalo Man Sentenced For Stealing Stamps

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Irvin Bates, 64, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of theft of government funds, was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay $3760.00 in restitution by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Maura K. O’Donnell, who handled the case, stated that the defendant worked as a temporary employee at Ashton Potter printing company located in Williamsville, NY. The company is contracted by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to print and manufacture postage stamps and related specialty products. On July 22, 2016, during his "lunch break," Bates stole a pad of stamps from Ashton Potter, concealed the pad of stamps in his clothes, and removed it from the facility at the conclusion of his shift. In total, the stamps stolen by the defendant were valued at $3760.00.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Shelly Binkowski.