ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES FORMER U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WORKER WITH THEFT, FORGERY

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES FORMER U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WORKER WITH THEFT, FORGERY

April 09, 2026

Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Cook County woman alleging she illegally stole personal checks and deposited them into her personal bank account while employed by the U.S. Postal Service.

The Attorney General's office charged Teneshya Harris, 36, of Chicago with four counts of theft by deception of between $500 and $10,000, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in prison, and four counts of forgery, each Class 3 felonies also punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Harris' next court date is scheduled for May 7.

"Americans rely on the integrity and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service, and it is unacceptable that any Postal Service employee would abuse their position to take advantage of the public they are supposed to serve," Raoul said. "I will continue to partner with federal agencies to hold individuals accountable when they defraud the public for their own personal financial gain."

Attorney General Raoul's office alleges Harris was employed by the Postal Service when she allegedly stole checks from customers who were attempting to mail them through the Postal Service. After stealing the checks, Harris is alleged to have either forged them to be made out to her personally or even increased the amount of the check. Harris then allegedly endorsed the checks with her signature and deposited them into her personal bank account.

The Attorney General's office is prosecuting this case based on a referral from the U.S. Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

"This indictment is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Mary T. Johnson, acting inspector-in-charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "Maintaining integrity of the U.S. mail is paramount for our agency. That is why the Postal Inspection Service will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers."

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant Attorney General Skylar Hill is prosecuting the case for Raoul's Public Integrity Bureau.