Feds indict former Vina postal worker

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
A former U.S. postal worker in Vina has been indicted by a federal grand jury.
The government has charged Joan Pearson, 52, 1498 Blue Creek Road, Vina, of misappropriation of postal funds, according to a release announced this week by the U.S. government.
Pearson is accused of embezzling $2,924 in money orders while working at the Vina Post Office.
Pearson was in the post master relief position during the period in which she is accused of embezzling the money.
According to the indictment, Pearson is accused of taking money between January 2008 and July 2008.
Officials said the investigation began in September and Pearson resigned two months later.
An audit revealed money orders that were supposed to have been issued under Pearson's responsibility were not reported as being purchased.
Once authorities discovered the discrepancies, they confronted Pearson and she confessed.
Pearson said she planned to repay the money, but got caught before she could do so, according to authorities.
Pearson faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.