Each defendantfaces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. Johnson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,653. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Wendy Bentzen, former information/financial manager for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 72 (located in Jefferson City, Mo. He was further ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution in the amount of $191,292 to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. In February 2017, the business manager of Washington, D.C.s Laborers Local 657 was sentenced to four years in prison. Frequently, money goes to buy luxury items. UAW Local Official Accused of Embezzling $2M, Using Union Debit Card at Greektown. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Warren Demmin, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Local Lodge 449 (located in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.), was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $681.44. pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling over $5,000. SEIU California Union Leader Resigns Following Fraud, Finance experts say theft related to labor unions isa reflection of what's happening throughout society. WebFord was ordered to pay $174,100 in restitution and a $125 special assessment. 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 February 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Scott Gehringer, former President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 (located in Bethlehem, Pa.), was sentenced to three years supervised probation, including two months of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.Gehringer had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $547. Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information. 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 Seattle District Office. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Joseph Moon Jr., former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1626, pled guilty to a criminal information for one count of improper loans from a labor organization. The trial hasnt been set yet, but they both could see up to 10 years in prison and restitution if found guilty. Watson is alleged to have made personal charges totaling $1,759 on the union credit card. One of these issues is embezzlement. On July 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, a sealed indictment was opened charging Thomas Jon Witham, former Secretary Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa) with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. U.S. On Feb. 17, a former member was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution of $3,208 after pleading guilty to lying to an investigator. On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), was sentenced to four years probation, 200 hours community service, and ordered to pay $12,904.56 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. 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.) The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Corruption undermines the very soul of unions. An official website of the United States government. A lock ( Disclaimer | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. On March 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Charles Bohanon, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 1 (located in Petersburg, Mich.), was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,074.23 and a $100 special assessment.On November 20, 2008, Bohanon pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. Even more astounding is that in many of these cases several people are part of the situation with embezzlement rather than just one person. .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} The UAW says this illustrates that its constitutionprovides the intended checks and balancesthat essentially requiretwo keys and conspiracyto steal. Former Labor Union President Sentenced for Embezzling Union The Board looks forward to continuing to work with the school as we fill this important role with its students, faculty, staff, families, and the community in mind.. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} WebOn April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Snelling, former Treasurer of Communication Workers Local 34014 (located in Gary, Ind. In just the last two years alone, more than 300 union offices were found to have a union official or employee stealing from union members. Prior to his sentencing, Sargent paid restitution in the amount of $8,019.55. On January 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Rebecca Montgomery, former bookkeeper/office secretary for the Machinist Eastern Regional Office (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was sentenced to one year probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Burkhart pleaded guilty on April 8, 2021, admitting to embezzlement and theft of labor union assets. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) opened an investigation after an internal audit by Steelworkers Local 145 revealed a loss of union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the Buffalo District Office and the City of Syracuse Police. On November 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. Elliott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay assessments and fees of $594. Bania was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and two years supervised release. For decades, the labor bosses running unions have been caricatured as morally bankrupt, mobster-like thugs who care more about power and money than serving their hard-working, dues-paying members. A former executive director of the Hawaii Painting & Decorating Contractors Association pleaded guilty in May 2016 to embezzling approximately $1,483,800 from the Hawaii Painters Trade Promotion & Charity Fund, which comes out of the hourly wages of Painters District Council 50 in Honolulu. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. On September 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Don C. Padgett, former secretary treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1304 (located in Greenville, Ill.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $185,042. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office. He conceded it hurts the union's image internally and externally. 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. ), was sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation. On December 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David M. Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. Unions have a purpose to protect workers. SEIU California's director of government relations, Tia Orr, will take over as interim executive director for the union, Schoonover said. The admission follows an investigation bythe OLMS Boston District Office and the Massachusetts State Police. On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. 2021 Criminal Enforcement Actions | U.S. Department of Labor The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards conducted the investigation. The admission follows and investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Dennis Williams, president of the UAW, said the 415,000-member union takes seriously issues of fraud and wrongdoing. UAW corruption scandal deepens as feds charge 16th person after On November 3, 2008, Getzen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. On August 26, 2009, in Cambria County (Pennsylvania) Court, Richard J. Vincent, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3951, was sentenced to seven years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $43,694 and court costs of $900. Also, Snyder was sentenced to an additional five months home confinement with electronic monitoring as part of three years supervised release.The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the FBI. .usa-footer .grid-container {padding-left: 30px!important;} Omaha Sports Academy founder accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars Alia Conley Omaha World-Herald Jun 30, 2021 0 Bob Franzese runs In the Fiat Chrysler case in Detroit, money provided by auto companies for worker training was embezzled in 2009-15 by men who were supposed to be working together to negotiate a labor contract rather than divvying up hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal gifts. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. She is scheduled to be sentenced May 1. Charged with drug possession? At the time, we were giving out food boxes and Meijer gift cards. Mosley was sentenced to one day in prison, six months in home confinement, and 18 months of additional supervised release. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Federal prosecutors say UAW leader Vance Pearson conspired with other union officials to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars in union money. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. One Teamsters official would introduce himself as Jimmy the Bull before threatening businesses and non-profits if they didnt hire his workers for jobs that didnt even exist (because they werent needed). On October 7, 2009, in Goodhue County (Minnesota) District Court, a felony complaint was filed charging Michelle Adler, former Secretary-Treasurer of Government Security Officers Local 24 (located in Lake City, Minn.), with one count of theft of more than $1,000, but not more than $5,000. It oversees more than a dozen local unions representing state workers, education workers, healthcare workers and others. 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 indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. On June 30, 2009, Tidwell had pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the same amount and one count of forfeiture. Montgomery had previously made restitution in the amount of $14,340. On June 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanne R. Brophy, former office manager of Iron Workers Local 379 (located in Lafayette, Ind.) 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. All Rights Reserved. Embezzlement can be a tricky situation with all of the money that flows into unions. On August 20, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Fortier, former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 970 and former President of Teamsters Joint Council 32 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,556.65, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Just to clarify, that is restitution of more than $102 million. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. And its used effectively to damage unions politically.. Report shows corruption continues to plague labor unions On November 3, 2009, in the Village of Ilion (New York) Court, Raymond Watson, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 717 (located in Ilion, N.Y.), was charged with grand larceny. On December 2, 2009, in Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, the following Tiffany Freeman, Tiesha Hamer, Lavina Smith, LaDonna Turner and Britton Russia were charged with forging checks belonging to Musicians Local 1 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio). On February 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, an information was filed charging Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. On April 1, 2003, Martin was convicted of mail fraud and theft from a labor organization. Every penny we have comes from the 5,000 hardworking men and women, he said. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. Thieves often are beloved colleagues who leave a profound sense of betrayal. Federal records for 2017 show a handful ofsmaller losses to UAW locals: Federal records for 2016 document these losses to UAW locals: Preventing embezzlement is nearly impossible, so decisive action must be taken when it arises, said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley who specializes in labor and the global economy. Also, in addition to previously paying $5,057, Decker was also ordered to pay an additional $5,684 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. There have been 300 unions that have discovered theft in the past two years. Garza was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Have a question about Government Services? Union Academy is in great shape and poised to continue down the path of excellence. Embezzlement plagues union offices around U.S., records show pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,048. According to the Board Chair for Union Academy, Dr. Ann Walters contract expires at the end of the month. Prosecutions of Union Officials in 2018 Unmasked Theft, 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. That political committee received numerous contributions from the SEIU California's political arm, according to campaign finance filings. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Donna Caltabiano, former President of AFSCME Local 888 (located in Catskill, N.Y.), pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The criminal charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. On September 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Shawn Clark, former Business Agent of Carpenters Local 455 (located in Somerville, N.J.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in excess of $85,000 and conspiracy to improperly spend union funds for his own personal use and the use of others during the approximate period of December 2000 through December 2007. Usually, the crimes are committed by the union local's bookkeeper, president or treasurer. The .gov means its official. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. /*-->*/. 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. Williams was charged in a criminal information, which means a guilty plea is expected. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On June 8, 2009,Brownlee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. On August 10, 2009, Tungett was charged in an information with one count of destruction of union records. On February 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth L. Holman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 665 (located in Ishpeming, Mich.), pled guilty to making a false statement or representation of a material fact on the annual financial report filed by Local 665. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. On November 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A. Please enter valid email address to continue. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. On February 24, 2009, Vincent pled guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. According to an investigation by the Detroit Free Press, federal records reveal embezzling from union offices is endemic around the country. ), with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged in an information with three counts of mail fraud and filing a false tax return. Baker misappropriated approximately 107 strike pay checks and forged members' signatures on the union's check register for 101 checks.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Also, Elliot made restitution in the amount of $24,000. Gambling addiction is an issue at times. On July 22, 2009, Peaslee was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount and one count of falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On November 17, 2008, Curtis pled guilty to embezzling $18,283 in union funds. 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. On May 2, 2003, the Department of Labor informed Martin of his prohibition from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. An information raises no inference of guilt. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. An indictment is a formal accusation or charge based on a finding by a Grand Jury that it is likely that the person charged committed the criminal offense described in the indictment and is the means by which an accused person (defendant) is brought to trial. 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. p.usa-alert__text {margin-bottom:0!important;} On May 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Christopher Scott Tidwell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Union Independent Local 1261 (located in Lineville, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $22,264.08 and one count of forfeiture. Former charter school official sent to prison for embezzling funds On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Christine S. Throckmorton, former office secretary/bookkeeper for Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees Local 57 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,674.95. On November 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former-treasurer of America Postal Workers Union, Local 3434, (Decatur, Ga.), plead guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,023.12. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Laborers Local 657 in Washington, D.C., saw its business manager sentenced to four years in prison in February 2017 for embezzlement and was ordered to pay $1,632,000 in restitution. On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was charged with, embezzling, stealing and unlawfully converting to her own personal use moneys of a labor organization in the amount of $86,118. On May 5, 2009, in the Criminal Court for Putnam County, Tennessee, Ronnie L. Scott, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 2409 (located in Cookeville, Tenn.), pled guilty to the charge of Theft Over $1,000. How to File a Complaint They give workers a powerful voice heard by employers. On January 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Eugene Huss, former Area Vice President of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,000 and pay a $100 fine. embezzlement Postal Service Office of Inspector General. On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Harold C. Ullum, former Vice-President and West Virginia District Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, Ind., West Virginia District (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to six months home detention, five years probation, and payment of a $20,000 fine plus a $100 special assessment. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
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