Former Rensselaer County USPS employee pleads guilty to money order fraud

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York announced that Matthew Dundas of Petersburgh pleaded guilty on Tuesday to multiple instances of money order fraud. The 26-year-old former United States Postal Service employee now faces up to five years in prison.

As part of his plea on September 16, Dundas admitted to fraudulently issuing 105 money orders to himself without paying for them while working for USPS between January 2023 and September 2024. Dundas’ actions resulted in the theft of $76,976.61 of federal money, according to the USAO.

“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,” Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III stated. “We thank the Office of Inspector General for its continued efforts to root out fraud from within.”

“The Special Agents of the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) 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,” said USPS OIG Special Agent in Charge Matthew Modafferi. “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.”

In addition to prison time, Dundas faces a maximum fine of $250,000 and a probation term of up to three years. He’s slated to be sentenced before U.S. District Judge Anne Nardacci on January 14, 2026.