Pleasant Prairie Postmaster Catches Federal Case For Felony Embezzlement Of Over $60,000

Copied!
Pleasant Prairie Post Master Jeffrey C. Zgorzelski (Facebook)
(Background Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Pleasant Prairie Postmaster Jeffrey C. Zgorzelski was charged yesterday in federal court with allegedly embezzling more than $60,000 from the Pleasant Prairie Post Office. At the same time he is being charged, he is pleading guilty, according to a plea agreement filed by U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad and Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen A. Ingraham. Zgorzelski agreed to waive formal indictment by grand jury.

Paid Advertisement
Pleasant Prairie Post Office
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

Kenosha County Eye first broke the story of Zgorzelski being escorted out of his post office by Federal agents on September 15, 2022. Multiple sources last year told KCE that the Pleasant Prairie Postmaster was placed on leave on September 9 last year. One employee told us that the Postmaster was being suspected of theft from the office, with a value of more than $50,000. We called the Postmaster on his cell phone and told him about the allegations. He denied them and told us he was on vacation. We investigated and went to the Post Office to speak with staff. Minutes after KCE left the Post Office, a message went out to all mail truck saying “don’t talk to the media or answer any questions [about the postmaster].” Our sources were correct last year. We didn’t name Zgorzelski then because he wasn’t formally charged.

Paid Advertisement
Desai Abdul-Razzaaq and George “Brian” Reeves with the United State Postal Service
(Photos LinkedIn)

KCE Reached out to Desai Abdul-Razzaaq and George “Brian” Reeves with the Strategic Communications branch of USPS Corporate Communications. Neither would tell us anything about the investigation and referred us to the United States Office of the Inspector General. KCE heard back from Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kevin Cloninger who told us:

Paid Advertisement

“As a matter of standard USPS OIG protocol, the USPS OIG does not confirm or refute information related to possible ongoing USPS OIG investigations, except in matters where details of the investigation become a matter of public record.”

Paid Advertisement

The lack or transparency within the United Stated Postal Service is nothing new. Two years ago, a mail carrier for the Kenosha Post Office, Evan Quirk, was arrested and charged for theft. He was charged with stealing used panties from a mailbox on his route. The victim was a woman who sold used panties for money. Neither the Office of the Inspector General nor George Reeves would give us information then either. The Kenosha Postmaster Mike Hall didn’t fire Quirk, who’s mother is reportedly a supervisor at the Post Office. The USPS declined to charge Quirk and he his criminal charge was dismissed by Kenosha County DA Michael Graveley.

Paid Advertisement

We checked with with U.S. Post office frequently over the last 5 months and their lips were sealed. Quietly and discreetly, a court action was created Monday night with no notice to the local media.

Paid Advertisement
Inside Pleasant Prairie Post Office
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)

According to the plea agreement:

Zgorzelski has been employed by The United States Postal Services since 1993 and was Postmaster from 2017 until he was seemingly fired on September 9, 2022.

Investigation

Based on concerns about missing stamp stock and cash, on September 9, 2022, the Postal Service Office of Inspector General (USPS OIG) asked USPS management to conduct a spot audit at the Pleasant Prairie facility. The audit revealed that the cash reserve was $266 short. When the auditor told Mr. Zgorzelski of the shortage — but not the amount – Mr. Zgorzelski said that the money was at his house because he could not make it to the bank, and that he would go home and get the money. OIG agents subsequently surveilled Mr. Zgorzelski at an ATM inside a nearby Kwik Trip convenience store in Kenosha as he withdrew cash, and saw him return to the post office 15 minutes after leaving, without going to his house. Mr. Zgorzelski brought back $360 rather than the actual missing amount of $266, which suggested to auditors that he did not remember how much money he had taken. As the audit continued, the OIG agents were advised that the unit reserve had risen to approximately $36,000. By the end of the day, the missing amount had grown to $57,018.46, and a September 12, 2022 more detailed and final cash and stamp count at the Post Office increased the loss to $60,441.26. Mr. Zgorzelski admitted that he was responsible for this loss amount.

Confession

Based on these discrepancies, OIG agents interviewed Mr. Zgorzelski at the Pleasant Prairie Post Office on September 9, 2022, during which he admitted that he had been embezzling cash over the last two to three years. Mr. Zgorzelski said he had experienced worsening financial problems since 2014. He also admitted that he has had a gambling problem with slot machines and scratch-off tickets for the last two to three years, hoping that it would help him pay his debt. Mr. Zgorzelski said he lied about going to the bank this morning because he did not want his embezzlement to be discovered. When told of the preliminary $36,000 shortage discovered as of the time of his interview, he acknowledged responsibility for it. He denied having ever stolen stamps, but said he manipulated stamp count records to cover up his ongoing thefts, getting clerks to sign-off on stamp counts without allowing them to do a count of the unit reserve, which he unilaterally controlled. He admitted having taken about $500 from the unit reserve to gamble about two weeks ago. The audit found that Mr. Zgorzelski sold stamps to customers who paid in cash, and after the sale was entered, he post-voided these sales, which deleted the transaction.
The audit found that on December 2, 2020, Mr. Zgorzelski sold $4,565 in cash for stamps and then immediately post-voided the sale, enabling him to pocket the cash. Mr. Zgorzelski also took cash by performing “No-Sale-Following-Void” (NSFV) transactions. In these, he did a typical cash sale and then pressed the “No Sale” button on the touchscreen at the end of the transaction. The sale would be completed except that there would be no receipt for the customer. Pressing the No Sale button legitimately opens the cash drawer, but comparison of Mr. Zgorzelski’s use of the button with his co-workers showed that between October 1, 2020 and September 9, 2022, he performed 165 NSFV transactions with 142 void counts and a total void amount of $2,505.26. His two co-workers, by comparison, had fewer than 10 such transactions each during the period.

The maximum fine for this case is ten years imprisonment and $250,000 fine. The offense carries a mandatory special assessment of $100 and a maximum of three years of supervised release.

Zgorzelski agrees to pay restitution in the amount of $60,441.26 as ordered by the court to the United States Postal Service. Because restitution for the offenses is mandatory, the amount of restitution shall be imposed by the court regardless of the defendant’s financial resources. The defendant agrees to cooperate in efforts to collect the restitution obligation. The defendant understands that imposition or payment of restitution will not restrict or preclude the filing of any civil suit or administrative action.

Zgorzelski’s attorney, long time Kenosha attorney David Berman told KCE that he cannot comment on the pending matter, but may comment when the case has completed.

Author

Copied!
LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

MORE TOP STORIES

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Categories
Archives
Authors

13 Responses

  1. Still don’t understand why ANY theft by a Federal employee isn’t a automatic Felony ?The Salem guy who took the panties was let off on the presumed “value” not being high enough. What the hell does value have to do with the implied trust of mailing a package?
    Should have thrown him in jail.
    Wearing the panties.

    12
    2
  2. Thanks Kevin.

    I feel bad for the worker bees in Pleasant Prairie. At the Village and Post Office. I appreciate your efforts in light of the scumbags you work for. Thank you.

    1
    4
    1. They are all riff raff at that office. Refuse to give a receipt when you mail a package unless you are paying the postage. Prepaid labels, refuse to give you the receipt. “Unless you buy something”. And a penny stamp doesn’t count. No other PO has done that.

      1. I’m not sure on what theory that would be mandated. I’m curious what people would think if he had pension benefits vested at the time he was let go and he makes his full restitution according to the judge’s order? We hear a lot about people paying their debt to society, what would he still owe? I’m not making any excuses for him, I just am curious why he would lose his pension or should lose his pension if the rules say he is vested in anything and would have had it coming someday if he had quit for other reasons. If there’s something specifically in the contract that says if you get fired you lose your pension, then it would make complete sense. I don’t see people falling all over themselves to demand restitution for tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars in BadgerCare bills paid to people that were doing side hustles that would have kept them from getting on the program had they been known. Look at all the drug busts we see where people have tens of thousands of dollars and plenty of sales, yet get food housing and medical assistance. I never see anything on ccaps where they’ve been charged with fraud because of that. Double standard?

        2
        2
  3. Interesting that it’s mandatory for him to make restitution. Why can’t we do this to all fraudsters, batterers, and “peaceful protesters”?

    7
    1
  4. Mandatory that he pays? Sounds nice but who checks on him? Lots of alimony, restitution and other fines that never go paid.

    1
    1
    1. Well, we’ll have all those additional IRS agents, but I’m not sure who’ll be controlling THEM. Just kidding, we all know.

      1
      1

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

$17,500 Bail Set for Kenosha Man Caught with Fentanyl, MDMA, and Marijuana, Police Say

Elijah B. Echols, 27, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 27-year-old Kenosha man with a violent criminal history is facing three new felony drug charges after police say they caught him with more than 30 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and MDMA, along with a stash of marijuana hidden in his body. You must be logged in to view the rest of

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony physical abuse of an elder person—intentionally causing bodily harm. He also faces

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Salem Lakes Board Sparks Outrage After Voting to Let Convicted Predator Live Near Park, Boy Scout Camp

Child Predator Joshuah C. Koboldt, 40, of Salem Lakes (9416 276th Avenue)(Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — The Salem Lakes Village Board ignited a firestorm this week after narrowly approving a convicted child predator’s request to live just steps away from a children’s park and Camp Wonderland, a well-known Boy Scout campground. You must be logged in to view the rest

Extreme Heat Warning: Kenosha County Reminds Residents of Available Cooling Centers

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – With extreme heat warnings in effect this week, Kenosha County officials are urging residents to take precautions and make use of designated cooling centers throughout the area. Cooling centers are available at various municipal buildings, libraries, and community organizations across the county. These locations offer air-conditioned relief and are open to the public during the hours listed below: .

Plus +

Strangulation, Threats, and False Imprisonment: Kenosha Man Faces 10 Charges

Arturo L. Martinez III, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing ten criminal charges—including felony strangulation, false imprisonment, and threats to injure—after a woman reported months of domestic violence that allegedly occurred in front of their young children. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting at Family Party

Damien C. Wess, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a getaway vehicle from a shooting that took place at a family gathering. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Paddock Lake Man Accused of Strangling Neighbor Over Property Dispute

PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — A 54-year-old Paddock Lake man has been charged with felony strangulation and elder abuse after allegedly attacking his 66-year-old neighbor during a property line dispute on June 15 in the Village of Paddock Lake. Richard K. Ruck faces three charges: physical abuse of an elder person, strangulation and suffocation, and disorderly conduct. The criminal complaint, filed June 17 in

Free German-Style Pop-Up Biergarten Returns to Kenosha’s Lakefront July 17–19

KENOSHA, Wis. — A popular summer tradition is returning to HarborPark as the Hofbräu Pop-up Biergarten sets up along the lakefront from July 17 through July 19. The event is free to attend and promises three days of festive, family-friendly fun in the spirit of a traditional German Biergarten. Held at Celebration Place, 5501 Ring Road, the biergarten will serve authentic Hofbräuhaus beer

Plus +

Kenosha Riot Participant Denied Early Release by Judge

Kelly Ziminski, 34(Kenosha County Sheriff and Wisconsin DOC) KENOSHA, Wis. — One of the rioters present the night Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people in Kenosha has been denied early release from prison. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Sues County After Sheriff’s Squad Crashes Through Funeral Procession

Kenosha Sheriff’s Squad(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman is suing Kenosha County after a sheriff’s squad allegedly ran a red light and drove through a funeral procession, crashing into her vehicle and causing serious injuries. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Restraining Order Violator Allegedly Threatened to “Make Body Disappear,” Witness Says

SALEM, Wis. — Michael A. Daniels, a failed farmer with a long trail of legal troubles, was in court Tuesday after allegedly violating a temporary restraining order just hours after being served. Kenosha County Court Commissioner William Michel set bail at $500 cash. Daniels, 48, of Salem, is charged with violating a temporary restraining order issued May 19. If convicted, he faces up

Kenosha Bartender Accused of Scissors Attack On Sister

KENOSHA, Wis. — In the early hours of June 2, 2025, a 33-year-old Kenosha bartender, Justine E. Bloxdorf, was arrested after allegedly attacking her sister with a pair of scissors following a reported dispute involving drugs. According to police sources, a 9-1-1 call was made around 2:22 a.m., shortly after Bloxdorf finished her shift at a downtown tavern. Responding Kenosha officers recommended criminal

Fourth OWI Defendant Wanted After Failing to Appear in Court

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — A Burlington man is now the subject of an active arrest warrant after failing to appear in court Wednesday on felony charges related to an alleged fourth drunk driving offense earlier this month. Matthew J. Mortensen, 47, was summoned to appear at 1 p.m. in Kenosha County Circuit Court for an initial appearance in case 2025CF000855. When he failed

Plus +

Man Accused of Pointing Gun at Neighbor During Lakefront Dispute

Thomas L. Carlson Jr., 50, of Burlington(Kenosha County Sheriff) WHEATLAND, Wis. — A 50-year-old Burlington man is facing criminal charges after allegedly pulling a gun on his neighbor during a late-night confrontation at Lily Lake, escalating what authorities described as an ongoing feud between the two men. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Held Woman Hostage at Knife Point for Seven Hours, Prosecutors Say

Glen D. Pipkin Jr., 40, of Kenosha in Court Today(Photo by Nathan DeBruin, for Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha man is facing serious felony charges and is being held on a high cash bail after police say he brutally attacked and held a woman hostage inside their shared home for over seven hours, using a knife to threaten, injure, and

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Accused of Stealing SUV, Resisting Arrest While Out on Bond for Two Other Cases

Crystal S. Wakefield, 31, of Kenosha of Kenosha In Court Today(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A 31-year-old Kenosha woman is facing six new criminal charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle and resisting arrest while already out on bond in two separate cases. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

LATEST NEWS

Steil Secures $700K Federal Grant for Pike River Restoration in Kenosha County

KENOSHA, Wis. – Kenosha County will receive $700,000 in federal funding to support water quality improvements and habitat restoration along the Pike River, Congressman Bryan Steil announced Friday. The money, awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, will go to the Kenosha County Division of Parks. The grant is intended to help restore more than 3,200 feet of streambank and

Plus +

Teen Charged in High-Speed Chase That Endangered Multiple Children

SOMERS, Wis. – A Kenosha teenager is facing six felony charges after allegedly leading deputies on a dangerous high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods with three juveniles in the vehicle, including two minors who had reportedly stolen a relative’s car. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

$17,500 Bail Set for Kenosha Man Caught with Fentanyl, MDMA, and Marijuana, Police Say

Elijah B. Echols, 27, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 27-year-old Kenosha man with a violent criminal history is facing three new felony drug charges after police say they caught him with more than 30 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and MDMA, along with a stash of marijuana hidden in his body. You must be logged in to view the rest of

Somers Man Accused of Assaulting Elderly Housemate, Obstructing Arrest

SOMERS, Wis. — A 61-year-old Somers man is facing felony charges after allegedly assaulting his elderly housemate and refusing to cooperate with sheriff’s deputies during a chaotic arrest at a deteriorating home in the Town of Somers. Nick W. Picazo was formally charged Friday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with felony physical abuse of an elder person—intentionally causing bodily harm. He also faces

Plus +

Underwear-Clad Intruder Charged After Breaking Into Porch, Banging on Door

Phillipp Schiavi, 58, of Kenosha KENOSHA, Wis. — A 58-year-old Kenosha man is facing three criminal charges after allegedly running through a neighborhood in his underwear and trying to force his way into a stranger’s home while screaming profanities. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Trio Charged in Kenosha Wallet Theft and Gift Card Scheme

Keir Saunders, 47, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. — Three suspects are facing felony charges after a Kenosha grocery store manager’s stolen wallet was used to buy over $1,200 in gift cards at Walmart last month. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Salem Lakes Board Sparks Outrage After Voting to Let Convicted Predator Live Near Park, Boy Scout Camp

Child Predator Joshuah C. Koboldt, 40, of Salem Lakes (9416 276th Avenue)(Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry) SALEM LAKES, Wis. — The Salem Lakes Village Board ignited a firestorm this week after narrowly approving a convicted child predator’s request to live just steps away from a children’s park and Camp Wonderland, a well-known Boy Scout campground. You must be logged in to view the rest

Extreme Heat Warning: Kenosha County Reminds Residents of Available Cooling Centers

KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. – With extreme heat warnings in effect this week, Kenosha County officials are urging residents to take precautions and make use of designated cooling centers throughout the area. Cooling centers are available at various municipal buildings, libraries, and community organizations across the county. These locations offer air-conditioned relief and are open to the public during the hours listed below: .

Plus +

Strangulation, Threats, and False Imprisonment: Kenosha Man Faces 10 Charges

Arturo L. Martinez III, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing ten criminal charges—including felony strangulation, false imprisonment, and threats to injure—after a woman reported months of domestic violence that allegedly occurred in front of their young children. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Man Charged in Drive-By Shooting at Family Party

Damien C. Wess, 24, of Kenosha(Kenosha County Sheriff) KENOSHA, Wis. – A 24-year-old Kenosha man is facing two felony charges after allegedly driving a getaway vehicle from a shooting that took place at a family gathering. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Paddock Lake Man Accused of Strangling Neighbor Over Property Dispute

PADDOCK LAKE, Wis. — A 54-year-old Paddock Lake man has been charged with felony strangulation and elder abuse after allegedly attacking his 66-year-old neighbor during a property line dispute on June 15 in the Village of Paddock Lake. Richard K. Ruck faces three charges: physical abuse of an elder person, strangulation and suffocation, and disorderly conduct. The criminal complaint, filed June 17 in

Free German-Style Pop-Up Biergarten Returns to Kenosha’s Lakefront July 17–19

KENOSHA, Wis. — A popular summer tradition is returning to HarborPark as the Hofbräu Pop-up Biergarten sets up along the lakefront from July 17 through July 19. The event is free to attend and promises three days of festive, family-friendly fun in the spirit of a traditional German Biergarten. Held at Celebration Place, 5501 Ring Road, the biergarten will serve authentic Hofbräuhaus beer

Plus +

Kenosha Riot Participant Denied Early Release by Judge

Kelly Ziminski, 34(Kenosha County Sheriff and Wisconsin DOC) KENOSHA, Wis. — One of the rioters present the night Kyle Rittenhouse shot three people in Kenosha has been denied early release from prison. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Plus +

Kenosha Woman Sues County After Sheriff’s Squad Crashes Through Funeral Procession

Kenosha Sheriff’s Squad(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye) KENOSHA, Wis. — A Kenosha woman is suing Kenosha County after a sheriff’s squad allegedly ran a red light and drove through a funeral procession, crashing into her vehicle and causing serious injuries. You must be logged in to view the rest of this article.

Categories
Archives
Authors

Wake Up to What You Missed

Get notified of new articles. We'll never share your email address.