Former mail recovery clerks Daniqua Clark and Deneeka Ferguson have pleaded guilty to charges related to stealing items from the mail and, in Clark’s case, fraudulently obtaining pandemic-era Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, according to a March 13 statement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.
The case highlights concerns about public trust in federal employees and the misuse of relief programs intended for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency in its district, which covers a region serving 7.5 million residents across north Georgia mountains, Atlanta suburbs, and borders with Alabama and the Carolinas, according to the official website.
According to court information presented by U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, Clark and Ferguson worked at the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta between May 2023 and February 2024. They exchanged text messages identifying specific items such as cash and gift cards to steal from undeliverable mail. Searches of Clark’s locker and car led to the recovery of stolen goods including gift cards, fragrances, and other personal items. Both admitted their involvement during interviews with law enforcement agents.
Clark also admitted to obtaining two fraudulent PPP loans totaling $36,402 for a non-existent business by submitting fake tax documents. The funds were deposited into her bank account used for receiving her USPS salary but were spent on personal expenses rather than payroll as required by program rules.
“Clark abused the public’s trust by stealing thousands of dollars of items from the mail and obtaining two fraudulent PPP loans for a non-existent business while serving as a federal employee,” said Hertzberg. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out and hold accountable government employees who compromise their integrity and violate the public’s trust for their own personal gain.” Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Ulrich of the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General added: “This guilty plea sends a strong message to any U.S. Postal Service employee who decides to violate the public’s trust in this manner…our criminal investigators and legal teams at the U.S. Attorney’s Office will diligently pursue anyone who steals U.S. Mail and attempts to commit COVID-19 fraud…”
Clark pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiring to commit mail theft and mail theft, along with two counts of wire fraud; Ferguson pleaded guilty to five counts of obstruction of mail. Sentencing is scheduled for June 11 before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg.
The Department of Justice established a COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force in May 2021 that coordinates efforts across agencies nationwide—including cases with international dimensions—to combat pandemic-related fraud schemes according to its official website. Anyone with information about attempted COVID-19 fraud can report it through resources provided by federal authorities.
