Postal Carrier Accused of Hoarding 40,000 Pieces of Mail

A New York City postal carrier is accused of failing to deliver more than 40,000 pieces of mail, some dating to 2005.

According to a federal court complaint, Joseph Brucato hoarded the mail at his home, car and post office locker. He was arrested Wednesday after a supervisor noticed undelivered mail piled up in Brucato's personal vehicle.

The 67-year-old Brucato, who has worked as a postal carrier since 2001, was arraigned Wednesday and released on his own recognizance.

He admitted in court he did not always deliver mail, citing personal reasons. His attorney says he suffered from depression. 

Magistrate Vera Scanlon ordered him to "abstain from excessive alcohol consumption." 

He didn't answer his door Friday, but neighbors said he and his wife were "very nice." 

Those living along the Flatlands route where Brucato worked, however, said they knew something was wrong. 

"I didn't get a Con Ed bill, I didn't get a mortgage statement, stuff I knew would come every month," one woman said.

Another neighbor said she's made "a ton of complaints" against the mailman.

"I'm not surprised that he's the one that has done this," she said.

Authorities say about 2,500 pounds of U.S. mail postmarked as far back as 2005 was recovered.

Connie Chirichello, a spokeswoman for the postal service, said every effort would be made to deliver all of the recovered mail. Brucato has been suspended from his job in the meantime. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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