A Chicago postal worker has been federally indicted on allegations she kept claiming augmented workers’ compensation payments for a spouse she no longer had, with the case now moving toward arraignment and criminal prosecution.
A United States Postal Service employee in Chicago faces a federal indictment accusing her of collecting augmented workers’ compensation benefits she was not entitled to after her divorce and the death of the person she claimed as a dependent. The government says the scheme stretched from 2013 through 2024 while she remained on the Postal Service payroll. The indictment lists precise amounts and dates and sets out criminal counts that could carry significant prison time if she is convicted.
The employee, identified as Graciela Venegas and also known as “Graciela Salgado,” is 66 and was living in Chicago at the time the charges were filed. Prosecutors say Venegas began receiving workers’ compensation benefits in 2012 for a job-related injury and then claimed augmented payments by listing a spouse as a dependent. The couple divorced in 2013 and that ex-spouse died in 2014, but authorities say the dependent claim continued regardless.
The indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Chicago alleges that Venegas knowingly and fraudulently kept receiving the extra payments that come from augmented benefits. From 2013 through 2024 she is accused of taking monthly amounts equal to an extra 8 and 1/3 percent of her pre-injury pay. Prosecutors say the total of those augmented payments came to $51,776, money the indictment contends she knew she was not entitled to receive.
Venegas is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of knowingly making a false statement to the U.S. Department of Labor. Each wire fraud count carries a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison, while the false statement count is punishable by up to five years. The case lists the government representatives and outlines the federal interest in protecting benefit programs from misuse.
Arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., before U.S. Magistrate Judge Laura K. McNally, where the defendant will appear to respond to the indictment. The indictment itself names the prosecutors and investigators involved and provides the factual basis for the allegations, which will be tested in court under standard rules of evidence.
“Workers’ compensation benefits provide a lifeline to workers who are injured on the job and unable to perform their duties,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros. “Committing fraud upon this important program undermines the financial stability of the insurance system, increases costs for businesses and consumers, and harms truly injured workers. Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who seek to collect workers’ compensation benefits to which they are not entitled.”
The announcement of the indictment came from Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, together with Dennus Bishop, Special Agent in Charge of the Central Area Field Office of the U.S. Postal Service–Office of Inspector General. The government is represented in the matter by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Diya Rattan. Officials emphasized interagency cooperation in pursuing alleged fraud against federal benefit programs.
“The U.S. Postal Service paid $1.5 billion in workers’ compensation costs in fiscal year 2024, and the majority of postal employees who collect compensation benefits have legitimate claims due to on-the-job injuries,” said SAC Bishop. “However, a certain percentage abuse the system and cost the Postal Service millions of dollars in fraudulent claims and enforcement costs. Today’s charges send a clear message that the USPS OIG and the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Illinois, remain committed to safeguarding the integrity of this benefit program and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
The public is reminded that an indictment is not evidence of guilt; the defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial where the government bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Court proceedings, filings and the scheduled arraignment will provide the next public milestones in the case as the factual allegations are addressed in court. The matter remains under federal prosecution and will proceed according to standard criminal process.
