Elvira Salazar Questions Rise of Check Washing Crimes

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) has sent a letter to USPS regarding increased check washing crimes. Directed to the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) Chief Postal Inspector, Gary Barksdale, Rep. Elvira Salazar demands answers over increased check washing cases in South Florida.

Commenting on the letter, Rep. Elvira Salazar argued that “at a time when every penny matters to the hardworking residents of my district, it is unacceptable that while check washing is on the rise in Miami, USPS does not seem to be taking these cases seriously.”

“My constituents are desperate for answers and have received little to no response from the principle law enforcement branch of the USPS” she added, calling for it “to change immediately.”

In the letter, the Florida Republican calls for Inspector Barksdale to provide a full briefing for Elvira Salazar and her staff to discuss the growing concern.

Elvira Salazar puts forward several questions in the letter, affirming that they warrant an immediate response.

• Has the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) seen a rise in check-washing cases in the last 12 months?
• How many open cases of check-washing does the USPIS currently have open? How many have been closed?
• What steps has the USPS or USPIS taken to combat this harmful fraud?
• How many, if any, arrests have been made in connection to check-washing fraud in the United States?
• What specific actions have you taken in South Florida to investigate reported incidences of check-washing?

Rep. Elvira Salazar is currently pursuing reelection, and she now faces a new challenger in Commissioner Ken Russell (D) who previously challenged Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R).

However, earlier this month, the Florida Democrat announced that he would not be facing Florida Rep. Val Demings (D) in the primary because Demings “has a better chance of winning this race than I do right now.”