Retired Official Says Story Gave Wrong Signals

I read with some dismay the article regarding my retirement from the Postal Service (“Postmaster Retires, Cites Restructuring,” Sept. 26).

While I genuinely appreciate the interest The Times has taken in my postal career and its conclusion, I take great offense at the implication that there was some wrongdoing during my tenure. The story alludes to some “disciplinary action that was never disclosed” regarding an investigation four years ago into misreporting on-the-job injuries.

It is true that this investigation took place. However, no disciplinary action was issued to me from that investigation. I was never found guilty of any wrongdoing, and I maintain my innocence of unethical or illegal practices during my career.

Every public employee is subject to investigation, especially when serving in a position such as mine.

When one is responsible for the actions of some 11,000 employees and oversees over a half a billion dollars in government funds, it is incumbent upon government agencies to ensure that the duties of office are upheld in the most ethical manner possible. Even the most negligible suspicion should be thoroughly analyzed, and it was. But the fact remains that I was cleared of the allegation. I did not resent nor try to hinder the scrutiny of the Postal Inspection Service. But I am uncomfortable with the fact that your publication chose to imply that some wrongdoing did, in fact, take place.

The fact of the matter is that the Santa Ana Division, while under my leadership, ranked first in the nation for productivity, revenue generation and efficiency. Employees in this division contributed three-quarters of a billion dollars to the Postal Service treasury during the last three years alone, during some of the toughest economic times this nation has faced in a very long time. I cannot take credit for that accomplishment alone. The diligence of every postal employee in my division allowed for our success.

In closing, I would like to note that I thoroughly enjoyed my postal career and will surely miss all of those who worked with me to provide the best service possible to the 3.5 million people in our division. I maintain, as I always have, that I served the Postal Service and the United States of America with the utmost pride and dignity. The people of America deserve no less than that.

HECTOR G. GODINEZ, Division Manager/Postmaster, Santa Ana Field Division, Santa Ana