Ex-postal worker in Campbell County pleads guilty to taking money orders

A former Campbell County postal worker pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to taking nearly $9,300 in money order vouchers while on the job.

Tasha Layne, 28, of Gladys, worked at the Naruna Post Office in 2007, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Layne pleaded guilty to misappropriation of postal service funds as part of a plea agreement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Neese told Judge Norman Moon that a postal inspector’s audit found a shortage of $9,452 under Layne’s account. That included 98 money order vouchers, $103 in fees and nearly $78 in stamp shortages, Neese said.

She told the court the local postmaster became suspicious when he found money orders issued to Layne were being cashed before they were recorded as being sold.

During a December 2007 interview of Layne by a postal inspector, Neese said, Layne said she took the money orders to give her boyfriend money and to make car payments. She said Layne resigned from her job at the post office the day of the interview.

Layne’s lawyer, Fay Spence, said that under the terms of the plea agreement with the government, a second charge related to the alleged embezzlement of the money orders would be dropped.

Moon accepted Layne’s guilty plea. He also ordered a sentencing report. She is free on bond pending a scheduled Aug. 26 sentencing.

She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.