NJ Mailman Admits He Discarded Election Ballots For West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carrier admitted that he threw away mail that included almost 100 ballots for the 2020 general election, which were destined for West Orange. The ballots – along with almost 2,000 other pieces of mail – were eventually found and delivered, authorities said Thursday.

Nicholas Beauchene, 26, of Kearny, pleaded guilty to one count of desertion of mails, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Federal prosecutors released the following statement on Thursday:

“Beauchene admitted that on Sept. 28, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 of 2020, he discarded into dumpsters in North Arlington and West Orange 1,875 pieces of mail that he was assigned to deliver to postal customers in West Orange and Orange. This mail included 627 pieces of first-class mail, 873 pieces of standard-class mail, two pieces of certified mail, 99 general election ballots destined for residents in West Orange, and 276 campaign flyers from local candidates for West Orange Town Council and Board of Education.”

Law enforcement officers recovered the mail on Oct. 2 and Oct. 5 last year and placed it back into the mail stream for delivery, prosecutors added.

The desertion of mail charge is punishable by a maximum penalty of a year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date, prosecutors said.

Last year’s general election was held mostly by mail due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• See related article: West Orange Election Mail Found In North Arlington Dumpster
• See related article: West Orange 2020 Election Results: Here's Who Won Council, BOE Seats

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