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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spokane USPS probe of possible mail theft may affect 1,000 residents

The U.S. Postal Service said it’s mailed notices to roughly 1,000 South Hill Spokane residents about the possible loss or delayed delivery of mail.

On Tuesday the Office of the Inspector General said a Spokane city mail carrier has been placed on leave pending inquiries into why mail on her route was not delivered or remained in her possession.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, said John Masters, a spokesman with the U.S. Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

Robbin Darst, a postal service spokesperson, said the carrier worked from the Manito post office on Spokane’s South Hill.

Masters said the female carrier’s name will not be disclosed during the investigation. He also declined to say when the undelivered or lost mail had been postmarked.

The investigation followed the discovery of undelivered mail inside the carrier’s vehicle by employees of a Spokane auto repair shop where the carrier left her vehicle, according to a KXLY news report.

Residents whose mail was not delivered have been contacted by the inspector general’s office. The federal mailing told residents that they have the option of receiving compensation for any late fees or credit card penalties due to the delayed or lost items.

Some residents received some of the mail found in the carrier’s possession; the postmarks on some returned items date back to mid-2013.