Shipping company allegedly shredded mail

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NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The owners of a New Jersey company face mail fraud charges for allegedly shredding thousands of pieces of mail rather than delivering them, officials said.

Harold Clevett, 67, and his son, Mark, 36, of Clevett Worldwide Mailers, a bulk-mailing company in Succasunna, were indicted this week on seven fraud counts each related to the alleged shredding of mail at their company, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported.

Both men appeared in federal court in Newark before U.S. Magistrate Patty Shwartz Thursday and were released on $150,000 unsecured bonds.

The indictment against the Clevetts alleges they defrauded national and international clients by telling them their ads, catalogs and other large-scale mailings had been delivered, but actually threw away or shredded large portions of those mailings.

The indictment also alleges the Clevetts also took advantage of the U.S. Postal Service by exploiting a mailing discount for customers who move, at their own expense, shipments between post office entry and destination facilities.

From 2007 to June 2011, Clevett Worldwide Mailers made about $1.5 million off the alleged scheme, the indictment states.

It was not clear how the alleged plot was uncovered, The Star-Ledger said.

Lawyers for Harold and Mark Clevett said their clients intend on pleading not guilty.