A folding apparatus for folding a plurality of sheets of multiple lengths such as mail statements, which includes a plurality of folder rollers, one or more folder gates, and a kicking plate associated with one of the folder gates. An input transport system provides statements to the folder rollers, and an exit transport system receives folded statements therefrom. A system controller monitors movement of statements through the folder rollers and folder gates of the apparatus by a plurality of sensors, and directs operation of the kicker gate at the appropriate time to push or eject the folded statements from the folder rollers. The action of the kicker plate prevents undesirable folding of the tips of shorter sheets in the statement while folding the longer sheet or sheets of the statement.