Some Theodosia mail was reportedly burned by new contract carrier

Some Theodosia mail patrons were informed recently that their mail may have been destroyed by fire on Aug. 31. 

A Theodosia-area resident recently shared with the Times a letter from Theodosia postmaster Maurice Anna that was distributed to some Theodosia residents. The letter, dated Sept. 10, said that on Aug. 31, “it was reported to local authorities in your area, the Postal Inspection Service and Office of Inspector General that mail had been destroyed by fire.”

The Times has been unable to confirm details of the incident, but it’s believed that a newly hired mail carrier took some of the Aug. 31 mail on his or her route to Ava and burned it in a cemetery.

When the Times called the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department to inquire about the matter, an officer there said only that “the matter was turned over to the feds.” 

A call to the Theodosia post office for information about the incident was referred to U.S. Postal Service strategic communications specialist Stacy St. John in Kansas City. In an email to the Times, St. John wrote, “Concerning the inquiry about the contracted employee who allegedly burned mail, the investigation was turned over to the OIG [Office of the Inspector General] and the local authorities. I have no additional information.”

The letter from postmaster Anna to mail patrons on the impacted mail route said that federal law exempts the postal service “from liability for claims arising out of the loss, miscarriage or negligent delivery of mail matter, except where insurance is either included in the postage or additional insurance is purchased.”

Anna offered his “sincere apology” for any inconvenience the destroyed mail might have caused.

Updates to this story will be reported as details become available.