POSTAL WORKER ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY STEALING REWARD GIFT CERTIFICATES FROM COSTCO

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the arrest of Gerome Fowler, a 32-year-old postal worker accused of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, and other charges, for cashing in thousands of dollars’ worth of Costco reward checks meant for residents served by the Bay Shore Post Office.

“This defendant allegedly abused his position as a postal employee to violate the private mail of unsuspecting residents and steal their reward funds for his own personal use,” said Tierney. “We stand with our law enforcement partners to deliver the message that, if you misuse your position to exploit victims and steal other people’s property, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“The Special Agents of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General will vigorously investigate those who use their position to commit crimes against the public and the Postal Service. The conduct alleged in the criminal complaint is disgraceful and our office will continue to tirelessly investigate postal employees who violate the public’s trust,” said Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi, of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General Northeast Area Field Office. “The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General would like to thank our law enforcement partners and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for their dedication and efforts in this investigation.”

Fowler was arrested on Monday, August 1, 2022 and arraigned in Central Islip today. In addition to the Grand Larceny charge, Fowler is also charged with Petit Larceny, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree and Official Misconduct.

According to the investigation, between December 26, 2021 and May 22, 2022, Fowler, of North Babylon, used over $6,000 of allegedly stolen Costco reward checks which should have been delivered to Costco members. On one occasion, on April 25, 2022, Fowler allegedly stole a reward check valued at $126.17 from the Bay Shore Post Office that Fowler was supposed to deliver to a resident on his mail route. Instead, on April 29, 2022, Fowler used the $126.17 reward check he was supposed to have delivered on his April 25, 2022 mail route to purchase items at Costco, using his own Costco account. Video surveillance captured Fowler redeeming the reward checks at Costco stores throughout Suffolk and converting them for his own private use. During all times, Fowler was employed as a mail carrier in the Bay Shore Post Office on Fifth Avenue in Bay Shore.

A Costco employee notified Costco management that Fowler had been observed redeeming numerous Costco reward certificates.  Investigation by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office revealed that, since approximately February 2020, more than $70,000 in Costco reward certificates were redeemed in connection with Fowler’s membership account. This amount is grossly disproportionate to whatever rewards Fowler would actually be entitled to based upon purchases made at Costco under this membership account.

Fowler was released on his own recognizance and is being represented by Robert Santucci, Esq. His next court date is August 25, 2022.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chief Laura de Oliveira of the Public Corruption Bureau.

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is asking those customers in the Bay Shore Postal area who suspect they may be victims of this theft to step forward and contact Costco immediately to report if they suspect their funds have been stolen.

###

Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

William J. Lindsay County Complex • Building 77 • 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge, NY 11788

(631) 852-3185 | SuffolkCountyNY.gov/DA