Former USPS postmaster in CT pleads guilty in bribery, kickback and embezzlement scheme

A former USPS postmaster in Connecticut has pleaded guilty in connection with a bribery and kickback scheme, as well as other misappropriations, that authorities say defrauded the postal service out of nearly $900,000.

Ephrem D. Nguyen, 50, formerly of Brookfield, waived his right to be indicted on Friday in federal court in Bridgeport and pleaded guilty to honest services wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. The offense carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, federal officials said.

“As federal employees, we take an oath to protect the public, including funds that have been allocated for federal services,” said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery said in a statement Monday. “This corrupt employee operated a brazen bribery, kickback and embezzlement scheme that defrauded the U.S. Postal Service of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“I commend the USPS Office of Inspector General and the FBI for their excellent work in this investigation,” Avery continued.

Federal officials said the charge Nguyen pleaded guilty to stems from a scheme he operated while serving as the postmaster of the Danbury Post Office. His responsibilities included supervising the maintenance and repair of facilities and equipment, including post office vehicles.

According to officials, in November 2020, Nguyen required that all Danbury Post Office vehicle maintenance and repair work be performed by a particular vendor despite another vendor already having a contract with the post office for those services. Nguyen demanded that the vendor provide free vehicle maintenance and repairs for him, a child of his, another USPS employee and an employee of Nguyen’s personal business.

Federal officials said Nguyen in 2022 received $90,000 in cash bribes from the vendor involved in the scheme. The overpaying of maintenance and repair services was characterized by Nguyen as a “raise,” officials said.

Federal officials said between 2022 and February of this year, Nguyen used USPS credit cards to pay the vendor more than $1 million, which was about $760,000 more than the services would have cost with the other vendor.

Additionally, Nguyen embezzled more than $80,000 from the USPS by using his company cards to rent vehicles for personal use for himself and others, according to officials. He also approved more than $8,000 in fraudulent travel expense reimbursement claims for a coworker, officials said.

In total, Nguyen defrauded the USPS out of about $874,930, according to federal officials.

“The public must have confidence that Postal Service employees will conduct their work in an honest manner,” Kenneth Cleevely, special agent in charge of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, said in a statement. “When employees commit serious offenses, such as taking bribes, they will be aggressively investigated and prosecuted.

“We are gratified to have contributed to this investigation and applaud the exceptional work by the United States Attorney’s office for assuring that there is no place for public corruption anywhere within the Postal Service,” Cleevely continued.

“Investigations into the breach of public trust by government employees are a top priority for the FBI,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Fuller. “We would like to extend our appreciation to the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General for the excellent collaboration that led to this individual being brought to justice. We hope the results of this case and similar previous cases will send a clear message to anyone engaging in fraudulent government activities.”

Nguyen, who now resides in Quincy, Massachusetts, is free on a $100,000 bond while he awaits sentencing, which has been scheduled for Jan. 5, 2024.