On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Christina Geathers, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 357 (located in Georgetown, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $36,865.18. Fax Line: 713-718-3300. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Bokaiyan, through his company, was to provide IT equipment and services to a new school not yet constructed. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. On August 21, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Unions New York State Legislative Conference Board and former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transit Union Local 1342 (located in Buffalo, N.Y.), was charged with embezzling $277,548.72 from the two labor organizations between January 2002 and March 2008. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. On September 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (now Local 721) (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pled guilty to two counts of mail fraud in connection with income fraudulently received from the Voter Improvement Program of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and one count of filing a false tax return related to his failure to report $35,000 fraudulently received from this fund. On June 8, 2009, George Ortiz, a former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, was sentenced to two and a half years incarceration to be followed by two years of supervised release and ordered to make restitution of $5,000. On January 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Scott E. Rodgers, President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Richard Klemser, former Treasurer of International Association of Machinist (IAM) Local 1041 (located in West Long Branch, N.J.), was sentenced to one year imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $64,000 for embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. On September 24, 2009, Wuest pled guilty to a charge of concealment or destruction of union records. On April 10, 2009, in the Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Monica Smalls, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 2209 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was charged with theft of $500 or more. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with Subsequently, Holmes was sentenced to five years in prison, suspended, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,350. This is a petition to the Board of Directors to renew Dr. Ann Walters contract as Headmaster of Union Academy. Perez was immediately sentenced to two years probation and 140 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay a $25.00 special assessment. Rhein had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $14,500.00. On March 4, 2009, Welch was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $1,000 and $20,000. Copyright 2019 WBTV. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Official Misconduct Charges in New Jersey, New Jersey Criminals and Parolees Could Have Voting Rights Restored. Thieves often are beloved colleagues who leave a profound sense of betrayal. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. Last updated on: November 14, 2021, 11:59h. Will you do the same? On November 17, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Joseph J. Morana, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) SEIU Local01-86 (located in West Roxbury, Mass.) Owens then pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to sixty days probated for twenty-four months on the condition that he make restitution of $200.00 and pay $153.00 in fines and court costs by February 3, 2010. The situation may be as simple as a bookkeeper going on vacation and leaving an attentive part-timer in charge who notices irregularity. On Dec. 5, a former president in Danville, Ill., was indicted for embezzling $19,482. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Angelo Wiggins, former President of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE) Local 408 (located in Mobile, Ala.), pled guilty to a one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,269.85. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } On March 25, 2009, Dallas pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. On August 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former administrative assistant and bookkeeper of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1923 (located in Baltimore, Md. On April 1, 2009, in the Criminal Court of the City of Syracuse, New York, Frederick Joseph McManus, Financial Secretary of Asbestos Workers Local 30 (Syracuse, N.Y.), was charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records associated with his actions as a union officer. Brown was then sentenced to three years probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring and ordered to make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. On April 23, 2008, Williams was indicted on one count of forgery totaling $1,431. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,731.54. Ann Walters, headmaster at Union Academy Charter School for the past six years, spoke at the school's Class of 2019 graduation ceremony on Thursday night, but the next day she The union collects roughly $65 per month from each of its members; the money is split between the local and the national office. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. Houston, TX 77002, Houston: 713-567-9000 October 13, 2021 / 2:43 PM On May 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Thaddeus Bania, Richard Lopez and David Rodriguez, former comptroller, Secretary Treasurer and Recording Secretary, and organizer, respectively, of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), were convicted on numerous counts arising from multiple schemes involving the locals voided October 2004 regular election of officers and a rerun election that was held in December 2004. The judgment follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as the New York City school bus companies, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. The admission follows an investigation bythe OLMS Boston District Office and the Massachusetts State Police. On September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. When it comes to cases regarding embezzlement in unions, there is. On September 28, 2009, in the 52nd Judicial Circuit Court of Huron County (Mich.), Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. On June 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Anne ORourke, former office secretary of Roofers Local 37 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to a two-count indictment for embezzling union funds in the amount of $23,057 and falsifying union records. On September 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of Painters Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 7 months of home confinement, and 36 months of supervised release. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration. Garza then used some of the funds to purchase a New Nissan Armada SUV and a condominium located on Gentryside Drive in Houston. On November 17, 2008, Curtis pled guilty to embezzling $18,283 in union funds. Williams was sentenced to twelve months deferred probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75, a fine of $1,000, and court costs of $194.00. Montgomery had previously made restitution in the amount of $14,340. Washington, DC 202101-866-4-USA-DOL1-866-487-2365, File Labor Union, Trusteeship, Employer, and Consultant Reports (EFS), Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), Poster: Notice of Employee Rights Under Federal Law (Executive Order 13496). The convictions follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. WebOn April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. Tungett was also ordered to attend a drug aftercare program, pay a $250 fine and a $25 special assessment. In the other multimillion-dollar case, charges were filed on Jan. 9, 2017, againsta former UAW president in New Jersey accused of hatching a scheme with a health insurance broker tosteal $1 million from the unions self-insured health planand defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of approximately $5.5million. "The actions of a few individuals should not be held against the entire union and its membership, almost all of whom act with the utmost honesty and integrity every day to help our working men and women.. Rodriguez was convicted on two counts of mail fraud and three counts of theft of union property. On August 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, David Lee Tungett, former organizer for the Kentucky Laborers District Council (located in Lawrenceburg, Ky.), pled guilty to one count of destruction of union records. Her trial is scheduled for March 19. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The charge follows and investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office. On February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. On January 14, 2009, Baker pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record and made restitution in the amount of $16,050. Also, Dallas was prohibited from incurring any additional credit card debts, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, submit to random drug testing and obtain mental health treatment. On Sept. 21, a former local president was sentenced to prison after diverting more than $129,723 in union money for personal use in Danville, Ill. Alphons Iacobelli, formervice president at FCA, was charged in July 2017 with conspiracy and delivering more than $1.2 million in prohibited payments and things of value to the late General Holiefield, former vice president of the UAW, Holiefield's wife and other UAW officials. ), admitted to sufficient facts to a charge of larceny over $250. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. One financial analystrecalled working with a treasurer who was dyslexic and another who had trouble balancing his own checkbook. We had our union president build a big elaborate house with materials, money and labor through our union. In addition to those crimes, the DOLs Office of Inspector General (OIG) has investigated numerous cases of labor racketeering and organized crimes influence within the labor movement. OnDecember 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for theSouthern District of Mississippi, Dale Holifield, formerFinancial Secretary TreasurerofUnited Food and Commercial Workers Local 982C(located inPearl, Miss. Hundreds of union officials have been indicted for other crimes that victimize union members, such as filing false reports, keeping false records, destruction of records, extortionate picketing and deprivation of rights by violence. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Railroad Retirement Boards Office of the Inspector General. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. WebDr. TULSA, Okla. A man who attempted to fraudulently acquire more than $92,000 worth of commercial products from a California-based company pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint TULSA, Okla. A former chief financial officer for a company with offices in Oklahoma pleaded guilty in federal court after failing to pay over to the IRS $3.6 million TULSA, Okla. United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the January 2023 Federal Grand Jury A. On February 17, 2009, Ramsey was charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Thomas Jerome Burkhart, Jr., 59, of Sapulpa, to three years of probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the labor union in the amount of $19,900. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. Her current duties have been reassigned and discussed with her. On May 15, 2009, Stefanik had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Jimmy the Bull and the Perry Crew also assaulted and intimidated rank and file union members who were critical of union leadership and physically blocked them from the union hall to keep them from voting on a contract proposal with a major employer. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Daryl D. Becker, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 558 (located in McPherson, Kan.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. On June 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark. Contact the Law Of Read this blog to learn more about felony offenses in New Jersey and how the courts determine the se 2023 Law Office of Douglas Herring. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. The AEA is the local union for Arlington public school educators. Houston Gateway Academy is a charter school located in the Gulfgate area of Houston. On April 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rosa Miriam Della Porta, former bookkeeper of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 (located inLos Angeles, Calif.), was found guilty of embezzling union funds. The indictment also included a forfeiture allegation in the amount of $1,000,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The UAW has weathered many storms over the years, and through bad economic times, long strikes, relentless and vicious organizing drives. ), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,824.30 and a special assessment of $100.00. ), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $13,904.69. An experienced attorney can help you to determine which course of action to take next. When it comes to cases regarding embezzlement in unions, there is no shortage of high profile cases to use as examples. On August 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, Calif.), pled guilty to making a false statement in a union record. The final of four charged in connection with the theft of $200,000 from a bank in Houston and allegedly transferred to New York has turned herself in to authorities, A 38-year-old resident of Richmond has been charged for operating as a money mule as part of her involvement in a nationwide romance fraud scheme, A 61-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his conviction of money laundering as well as conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, Southern District of Texas The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The stipulation settles a lawsuitthat the Department filed against Local 3 seeking to void the August 29, 2008 rerun election, supervised by OLMS, for the offices of two union-wide Business Agent positions.Local 3eliminated the Business Agent position that represented employees at Entenmann's Bakery thereby, according to OLMS' investigative findings, denying Entenmann's members the opportunity to run for and vote for any business agent position. The criminal charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $105,000.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. He added: "Any misuse of funds is unacceptable, and we are committed to doubling down on our efforts to ensure that all officers and staff adhere to the highest level of ethical and financial conduct.". An audit revealed Garza paid three checks totaling approximately $252,757 to Hot Rod Systems before it completed any work. On June 26, 2009, in the City Court of Geneva, New York, Bradley Steinruck, former President of Steelworkers Local 828 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), was sentenced to seven days imprisonment, five years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. Bania was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and two years supervised release. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office filed charges against Hernandez and her husband, Jose Moscoso, on Oct. 4. On January 7, 2009, Bruno pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. ), pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. It can appear to the public that only large unions, such as those that cover auto workers, experience these types of issues. The sentencing follows an investigation by It oversees more than a dozen local unions representing state workers, education workers, healthcare workers and others. Elliott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay assessments and fees of $594. On July 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Larry Ramsey, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Representatives and Organizers Union (located in St. Louisville, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, to include six months home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $163,222. A message for Moscoso seeking comment that was left with a worker who answered the phone listed for Moscoso's business was not immediately returned. On September 10, 2008, Johnson was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. On April 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Oliver Kupau III, former lead field representative of Laborers Local 368 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was denied his request for an exemption from the LMRDA Section 504 prohibition against persons convicted of certain crimes holding union office or employment. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal government site. On July 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Hernandez, former Secretary Treasurer and former Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60 (located in San Antonio, Texas), was charged in a one count indictment with embezzling funds from an employee benefit plan. Williams was sentenced to twelve months probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75.00, a fine of $1000, and court costs. Often, the person or people that took part are typically members of the organization that everyone likes. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. Trust is a very large factor. On June 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Michael Pagano, former Business Agent /Secretary-Treasurer of Roofers, Local 74 (located in West Seneca, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year probation and order to make full restitution of $9,264. Gambling addiction is an issue at times. The Department of Education-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the assistance of the TEA. I think the public has a perception that theyre all greedy mobsters and these things reinforce stereotypes that theres corruption. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. On November 20, 2008, Sargent pled guilty to one count of larceny within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Pemberton was immediately sentenced to two-years supervised probation, with judgment being deferred, was ordered to pay restitution of in the amount of $7,958, and was prohibited from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. On December 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Thomas Jon Witham, former Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa) was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Its everywhere. Some explain that embezzlement is happening now because non-financial professionals are in positions handling union finances. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Christopher Ethington, former President of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to five years probation, five months of home detention, ten consecutive weekends of incarceration, ordered to make restitution of $15,100.50 and pay a $100 assessment. Andy Dunbar, a union steward for electricians at Cobo Center, said he went to federal court and watched as dues-paying members urged the judge to punish a clerk who embezzled during the economic downturn. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} While the vast majority of union officials do their work diligently and without incident, OLMS will continue to work with unions to hold accountable anyone that unlawfully exploits their union position to enrich themselves without regard to the best interests of union members, said Office of Labor-Management Standards District Director Michelle Hussar in Dallas, Texas. and West Roxbury, Mass. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;} Brown was alleged to have taken union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. And law enforcement warned of a growing trend at the time. On March 12, 2009, Ramsey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. Vernon, Ind. Clark was then sentenced to three years probation and six months home confinement, and ordered to pay full restitution, a $2000 fine and a $125 special assessment. On September 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Roger Wuest, formerSecretary-Treasurer of Security Police and Fire Professionals Union Officer, Ind. Acosta is accused ofpermittingineligible participants to remain on the union's health care plan. On February 23, 2009, in the Superior Court of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Michael West, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84845 (located in Evansville, Indiana), pled guilty to one count of conversion. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Veterans Administration's Office of the Inspector General. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. He pleaded guilty in 2016. Just to clarify, that is restitution of more than $102 million. On November 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Prosecutions of Union Officials in 2018 Unmasked Theft, / CBS San Francisco. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. I mean, the teacher at my sons high school just embezzled from the homecoming fund.. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Watson is alleged to have made personal charges totaling $1,759 on the union credit card. On October 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norman Joseph Stefanik, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1450 (located in Watertown, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,013. Elsezy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,316.58. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009. In Detroit, four defendantsremain in the spotlight of theUAW-Fiat Chrysler (FCA) case: Jerome Durden, a former financial analyst incorporate accounting at Fiat Chryslerand former Controller of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center, pleaded guiltyin August 2017 after preparing and filing tax returns that concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to others in 2009-15. On May 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeffrey C. Harris, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders and Plastics Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. An official website of the United States government. OLMS field offices can provide guidance on how to file a complaint, including guidance regarding any additional steps you may need to take before filing a complaint and your ability to file an anonymous complaint. On June 8, 2009, in the Oneida (N.Y.) City Court, Gail Shingler, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 53 (located in Oneida, N.Y.), was charged with two counts of grand larceny, in the fourth degree. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Well, Ive just identified 80% of the country.. On April 3, 2009, inthe 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. Ironically, the jobs he strong-armed were for friends and family members, some of whom werent even union members. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Brownlee falsified travel vouchers, per diem, lodging, and lost time claims. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties.. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. On October 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Christopher Scott Tidwell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Union Ind, Local 1261 (located in Lineville, Ala.), was sentenced to 60 months probation, including six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $22,264.08 and a $100 special assessment. Steinruck previously made restitution in the amount of $1,987. Examining the rise of embezzlement in unions around the country can help to put this issue in perspective. The case was continued without a finding for two years, pending the successful completion of two years supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,130 and a fine of $125. Embezzlement is an action where a person takes in money for a business or other entity, and instead of putting it into the correct account, keeps it for themselves.