As a result of an ongoing investigation into the criminal activities of a former U.S. Postal Service (USPS) worker, a Summit County man now faces additional accusations in a highly coordinated conspiracy to award USPS contracts to specific business entities.
In a superseding indictment filed Feb. 4, a federal grand jury charged Josef Ratcliff, 60, of Akron, with the following:
- Conspiracy to Commit Honest Services Mail and Wire Fraud
- Conspiracy to Commit Extortion Under Color of Official Right
- Honest Services Mail and Wire Fraud
- Extortion Under Color of Official Right
- Receipt of Bribes by Federal Official
- Concealment Money Laundering
Ratcliff was initially charged with receiving bribes in the original indictment filed in July 2025.
According to the allegations, Ratcliff was employed as a purchasing and supply management specialist with USPS. As part of his official duties he solicited, received, and reviewed bids from contractors, focusing on logistics services for transporting the mail. Some of the contracts were worth more than $10 million…