Brooklyn mailman charged with failing to deliver mail

FLATBUSH (WABC) -- A Brooklyn postal worker has been arrested, after authorities say about 2,500 pounds of U.S. mail postmarked as far back as 2005 was recovered in his home, locker and car.

Jospeh Brucato allegedly failed to deliver at least 40,000 pieces of priority, First Class and regular mail along his route, on the Ryder Station Post Office in Brooklyn,

Brucato appeared in federal court in Brooklyn and was released on his own recognizance. His lawyer, Heidi Cesare, told the judge in court that Brucato suffers from depression.

He's been suspended without pay by the U.S. Postal Service.

The investigation started when Brucato was observed with mail in his personal auto, a 2004 Mitsubishi Galant. Postal workers are not authorized to keep mail in their personal vehicles.

The charge in this case is delay or destruction of mail of newspapers, which carries a maximum penalty of a fine, or possible imprisonment of up to five years.

Brucato confessed to "keeping mail there for at least six months and that on some days he did not deliver the mail intended for his route for personal reasons," authorities say.

The postal service plans to put the mail back into the regular stream for delivery so people will eventually get their mail.