A former postal supervisor who once worked at post offices in Sea Isle City and Somers Point admitted that he misused U.S. Postal Service credit cards to make thousands of dollars in personal purchases.
Austin T. Mahan, 44, of Cape May Court House, pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Christine P. O’Hearn to federal charges of misappropriating more than $1,000 in postal funds.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, for approximately six months in 2022 and 2023, Mahan misused USPS credit cards to make personal purchases at retail stores in and around New Jersey.
The purchases included thousands of dollars of gift cards as well as home decor items, home renovation materials, power and handheld tools, tool storage equipment and other personal items. The unauthorized expenses totaled $54,356, according to a news release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Mahan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a potential fine of $250,000, or a sum equal to the amount of money or the value of the property he misappropriated. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 25.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited agents of the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Area Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, with the investigation leading to the charges against Mahan.
