Morris Co. Postal Worker Admits Role In $156K Disability Fraud Scheme

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ — A Morris County woman and U.S. Postal Service worker has admitted to making false statements after she collected disability benefits while secretly working another job, authorities said.

Pamela VanSyckle, 60, from Oak Ridge, pleaded guilty before a Newark federal court on Tuesday to one count of federal employee compensation fraud, according to a statement from U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

According to authorities, in September 2020, VanSyckle, who worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural carrier, signed and filed a claim form alleging that she had sustained an injury at work.

As a result of that injury, VanSyckle claimed that she was unable to carry out her duties as a mail carrier.

She received disability benefits from September 2020 to September 2023 and signed and filed multiple federal claim forms alleging that she had not worked or had outside employment, according to court documents.

Based on those claim submissions, VanSyckle received $156,872 in disability payments from the federal government.

However, while she was receiving federal benefits, VanSyckle was working as the owner and operator of an unidentified travel agency, where she handled sales, marketing and financial operations, officials said.

After pleading guilty, VanSyckle now faces a maximum of five years in prison and a fine of as much as $250,000, Sellinger said. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2024.