FedEx Faces Suit Over Sticky-Fingered Handler

(CN) - A gold dealer says in court that a FedEx employee stole merchandise from its shipments eight separate times across Illinois.

Midwest Golbuyers says its business consists of buying precious metals from the general public and reselling the products to precious metal refineries.

Between Nov. 7, 2011, and Jan. 4, 2012, it purchased gold, silver and precious metals at several of its Illinois stores, and tried to send them to its processing center in Shaumburg, Ill., according to the complaint in arbitration.

FedEx allegedly instructed Midwest to place the merchandise in clear, sealed plastic bags, and then put the bags in FedEx shipping containers.

But eight of Midwest's shipments during this time period arrived missing merchandise, according to the complaint in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court of DuPage County.

"In or about January, 2012, a FedEx package handler, ('FedEx Employee') was arrested by the Carol Stream Police Department in connection with a criminal investigation regarding thefts occurring at Fed Ex's Carol Stream processing and sorting center," the complaint states (parentheses in original).

During his interrogation, the employee allegedly admitted to stealing Midwest's missing silver and gold coins, silver and gold pieces, and precious metals.

"Based on discussions with the investigating officer, the FedEx employee has admitted that he had been committing similar crimes against Midwest and other FedEx customers over a seven (7) month period immediately preceding his arrest in January 2012, indicating that he initially began stealing small items and becoming increasingly more aggressive with each successful theft," the complaint states.

Midwest Goldbuyers seeks $50,000 in damages, alleging one count of breach of contract for each of the eight thefts and one count of negligence.

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