These postal workers allegedly pretended to be kids so they could steal presents from Operation Santa
This basically reinvents the meaning of "the worst."
From November 2013 through January 2014, three postal workers allegedly pretended to be kids so they could steal presents from Operation Santa, a charitable initiative that began in 1912 as a way to donate presents to underprivileged children.
During the 2013 holiday season, the organization received more than 300,000 letters. Among them were letters apparently sent by Terry Jackson, 22, along with buddies Mahogany Strickland, 23, and Nickyves Saint-Albord, 28. They allegedly pretended to be children — seriously — and then made copies of those letters to increase the likelihood of receiving gifts. Strickland, who worked in the letter "adoption" area in New York City, where donors pick out which letters to respond to with gifts (only a few thousand gifts are given each year), allegedly made it so the trio's wishlists were among the most prominent. The defendants were apparently able to score gifts including two laptops, two tablets, a printer, gift cards, and bedding.
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Jackson and Strickland allegedly just straight-up stole presents too, replacing addresses on packages intended for other children with their own.
All three defendants have been charged with fraud and receipt of stolen mail. Their lawyers declined to comment to The New York Times.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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