Rensselaer County Man Pleads Guilty to Money Order Fraud

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Matthew Dundas, age 26, of Petersburgh, New York, pled guilty on Tuesday to money order fraud. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General ("USPS-OIG"), made the announcement.

Dundas admitted that between January 2023 and September 2024, while he was employed with the USPS, he fraudulently issued 105 money orders to himself without paying for them, and stole $76,976.61 from the United States.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: "Stealing from the government is a serious crime under any circumstance, but it is especially shocking when the perpetrator is a public servant engaged in self-dealing. We thank the Office of Inspector General for its continued efforts to root out fraud from within."

USPS-OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew M. Modafferi stated, "The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General will continue to maintain the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and its personnel. Our office will continue to vigorously investigate Postal Service employees who violate the public's trust. This case serves as an excellent example of the successful collaboration between the USPS OIG and the U.S Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York to pursue and prosecute Postal Service employees involved in criminal activity. The USPS OIG is thankful for the great longstanding relationships we have with the U.S. Attorney's Office to combat fraud."

Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Dundas faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The USPS-OIG is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.