Former Republic postmaster sentenced for postal fraud

The former postmaster of the U.S. Post Office in Republic  was sentenced in federal court to three years probation for misappropriating postal funds.

Donna Rippee, 64, of Republic, also was ordered to pay more than $14,000 in restitution. She pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, according to a news release from Beth Phillips, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

Between Jan. 1, 2002, and Feb. 7, 2008, Rippee converted postals funds for her own use. She admitted she withdrew $2,000 from the postal account held at the U.S. Post Office and purchased two $1,000 money orders made payable to herself in an attempt to cover up an approximately $40,000 shortfall in another of her postal accounts, the release said.

The case was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr, prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and was investigated by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.[[In-content Ad]]