(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 for cashing in thousands of dollars’ worth of Costco reward checks meant for Bay Shore Post office residents.
“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 use 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 gift certificates which belonged to Costco members. On one occasion, on April 25, 2022, Fowler allegedly stole a reward gift certificate 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 gift certificate 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. Costco checked Fowler’s Costco membership account, and discovered that, since February 2020, Fowler has used more than $70,000 in Costco reward certificates with his membership account, which is grossly disproportionate to whatever rewards Fowler would actually be entitled to.
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 Oliveria 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.