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---
title: Brooklyn Mailman Hoarded 40,000 Letters
description: A Brooklyn mailman has been accused of hoarding 40,000 pieces of mail, according to a federal complaint.
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author: Justin Worland
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article:published_time: 2014-09-26T14:42:05.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:13:26.676Z
og:title: Brooklyn Mailman Hoarded 40,000 Letters
og:description: A Brooklyn mailman has been accused of hoarding 40,000 pieces of mail, according to a federal complaint.
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og:image:alt: US Postal Service Mail Delivery Ahead Of Second-Quarter Results
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twitter:description: A Brooklyn mailman has been accused of hoarding 40,000 pieces of mail, according to a federal complaint.
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3bdef382b1771bff/6986a594e53aba4e1f4d4a2c/168420246.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# NYC Mailman Allegedly Kept 40,000 Letters Instead of Delivering Them

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![Justin Worland](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltce43820e61634237/698a0e76457a527422d63fe7/TIME-JustinWorland.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)


![Justin Worland](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltce43820e61634237/698a0e76457a527422d63fe7/TIME-JustinWorland.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Justin Worland


Senior Correspondent

Sep 26, 2014 2:42 PM UTC

![US Postal Service Mail Delivery Ahead Of Second-Quarter Results](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3bdef382b1771bff/6986a594e53aba4e1f4d4a2c/168420246.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) logo is seen on the side of a delivery truck in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) logo is seen on the side of a delivery truck in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, May 9, 2013. Bloomberg—Bloomberg via Getty Images

![Justin Worland](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltce43820e61634237/698a0e76457a527422d63fe7/TIME-JustinWorland.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/)


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## Justin Worland


Senior Correspondent

Sep 26, 2014 2:42 PM UTC

A Brooklyn mailman has been accused of hoarding 40,000 pieces of mail at home, in his car and in has locker, according to a federal complaint.

The mail carrier, 67-year-old Joseph Brucato, was arrested this week after his supervisor noticed undelivered mail in Brucato’s car.

A police official said that when confronted, Brucato said he didn’t deliver mail on some days for “personal reasons.” The mail carrier’s lawyer said Brucato suffered from depression.

Brucato was arraigned Wednesday and subsequently released. The United States Postal Service has suspended him without pay.

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