Illinois USPS Worker Charged with Alleged Workers’ Compensation Fraud

A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly collecting augmented workers’ compensation benefits that she was not entitled to, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois last month.

Graciela Venegas, 66, began receiving workers’ compensation benefits in 2012 after sustaining an injury while performing her duties for the Postal Service. At that time, she claimed her spouse as a dependent, which allowed her to receive enhanced benefits. However, the couple divorced in 2013, and her ex-spouse passed away in 2014.

According to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Venegas continued to fraudulently claim her spouse as a dependent even after their divorce and subsequent death. From 2013 to 2024, while still employed by the Postal Service, she allegedly received monthly augmented workers’ compensation payments that amounted to an additional 8 and 1/3 percent of her pre-injury monthly salary. In total, Venegas is accused of fraudulently pocketing $51,776 in benefits that she knew she was not entitled to receive.

Venegas, who resides in Chicago, faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of knowingly making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Labor. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while the false statement charge could result in up to five years of imprisonment. Her arraignment is scheduled for January 6 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally.

“The U.S. Postal Service paid $1.5 billion in workers’ compensation costs in fiscal year 2024, and the majority of postal employees who collect compensation benefits have legitimate claims due to on-the-job injuries,” stated SAC Bishop. “However, a certain percentage abuse the system, costing the Postal Service millions of dollars in fraudulent claims and enforcement costs. Today’s charges send a clear message that the USPS Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois are committed to safeguarding the integrity of this benefit program and ensuring accountability among U.S. Postal Service employees.”

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois

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A United States Postal Service (USPS) employee has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly collecting augmented workers’ compensation benefits that she was not entitled to, as announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois last month.

Graciela Venegas, 66, began receiving workers’ compensation benefits in 2012 after sustaining an injury while performing her duties for the Postal Service. At that time, she claimed her spouse as a dependent, which allowed her to receive enhanced benefits. However, the couple divorced in 2013, and her ex-spouse passed away in 2014.

According to an indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Chicago, Venegas continued to fraudulently claim her spouse as a dependent even after their divorce and subsequent death. From 2013 to 2024, while still employed by the Postal Service, she allegedly received monthly augmented workers’ compensation payments that amounted to an additional 8 and 1/3 percent of her pre-injury monthly salary. In total, Venegas is accused of fraudulently pocketing $51,776 in benefits that she knew she was not entitled to receive.

Venegas, who resides in Chicago, faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of knowingly making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Labor. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, while the false statement charge could result in up to five years of imprisonment. Her arraignment is scheduled for January 6 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally.

“The U.S. Postal Service paid $1.5 billion in workers’ compensation costs in fiscal year 2024, and the majority of postal employees who collect compensation benefits have legitimate claims due to on-the-job injuries,” stated SAC Bishop. “However, a certain percentage abuse the system, costing the Postal Service millions of dollars in fraudulent claims and enforcement costs. Today’s charges send a clear message that the USPS Office of Inspector General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois are committed to safeguarding the integrity of this benefit program and ensuring accountability among U.S. Postal Service employees.”

Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois

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