Former postal executive accused of extravagant spending

WASHINGTON — As a top executive at the U.S. Postal Service, Azeezaly Jaffer liked to live large. Too large, according to postal investigators.

In one three-night stretch in 2004, he ran up $8,252 at a Washington hotel suite — less than nine miles from his home.

He blew $3,486 in one evening for steak dinners and a bar-hopping binge for himself and other postal employees after the unveiling of the new Ronald Reagan commemorative stamp in 2005.

He tipped two lucky waiters $1,511.66 after a seafood dinner for 20 employees and business partners in 2003.

All on the Postal Service's dime.

An inspector general's report into the conduct of the Postal Service's former vice president for public affairs and communications details more than $46,000 in questionable spending.

The inspector general's report also includes accusations that Jaffer propositioned two female employees for sex, made lewd comments about several female employees, and offended and embarrassed others with obscene language.

Jaffer resigned June 30 — 11 days after the report was complete.

He did not return several calls made to his home and cellphone.

The report said he retained two attorneys to represent him during the investigation, but they could not be located.

In his interview with Office of the Inspector General (IG) officials, Jaffer consistently denied the accusations, pleaded ignorance, or — in the cases of the expensive meals — claimed that they were either for official Postal Service business or that he reimbursed the agency for the costs.

The IG report was based on Jaffer's travel records, expense reports, receipts, financial statements and internal e-mails, as well as numerous interviews with Jaffer, other Postal Service employees and private-sector officials.

The report, which has been redacted in places, was obtained by Federal Times magazine through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The report concludes Jaffer frequently spent the agency's money on extravagant meals and drinks for himself, friends and family, leaving gargantuan tips.

The IG said that during a Sept. 29, 2003, dinner for 20 at the Oceanaire Seafood Room in Washington, Jaffer topped the automatic 20 percent tip by adding an additional $824.54. The entire $1,511.66 tip brought the dinner bill to $4,947.26.

Jaffer "displayed a consistent lack of candor" when IG officials interviewed him May 19, the report said. Many of his statements were contradicted by documents and statements by at least 12 other people investigators interviewed, the report said.

The Postal Service is not saying whether it will pursue criminal charges against Jaffer or order him to repay any of the expenses. Spokesmen for the agency declined to comment on the report.

Jaffer, a 30-year veteran of the Postal Service, had been vice president for public affairs and communications since October 1999.

Postmaster General John Potter announced the 51-year-old Jaffer was leaving to pursue other career opportunities.