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. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury. An information raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A charge is an accusation of criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information.
A guilty plea is a defendant’s admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial.
A conviction is a judgment based on a jury’s verdict, judge’s finding, or the defendant’s admission that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.
A sentence is a judicial determination of the punishment to be imposed on an individual who has plead guilty or has been convicted by a jury or judge of a criminal offense.
On December 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, James Ireland, former Financial Secretary for the United Auto Workers Local 1672, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,662. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On December 17, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, an information was filed against Kathleen Thompson, former employee of Teamsters Local 325, charging her with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $33,770. On December 21, 2007, Thompson pled guilty to the offense. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. PDF
On December 17, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Anthony Rumore, former President of Teamsters Local 812 and Joint Council 16 was indicted on charges of extortion and embezzlement. Rumore demanded and obtained services from Local 812's employees, union officers, business agents, and staff, for the personal benefit of himself and his family. These personal services were unrelated to any union business and interfered with the employees' ability to perform legitimate work on behalf of Local 812's members. Local 812's employees complied with Rumore's demands due to fear that Rumore would cause them economic harm, including the loss of their employment with Local 812.
On December 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Kathy Rankin, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union Local 512, was sentenced to three years probation. Special conditions of her probation require her to serve three months in the home confinement program and make restitution in the amount of $15,622.34. On October 12, 2007, Rankin pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On December 13 and 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Debra Timko and Danny Iverson, former Presidents of SEIU Local 150, were sentenced for failing to maintain union records. Timko was sentenced to six months home confinement, three years probation, and was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $38,795.10. Iverson was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $24,853. On August 23, 2007, Timko and Iverson both pled guilty to two counts of failing to maintain union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On December 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, an information was filed against Carolyn M. Wallace, former President of Steelworkers Local 02-356, charging her with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,200. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On December 12, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Jeffery Berger, a New York City school bus inspector, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft and bribery concerning programs receiving Federal funds, in violation of 18 USC 371. He was arrested and released on a $1 million bond. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General of the New York City school bus industry that uncovered the existence of corruption in Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, the primary union that represents drivers and escorts for school bus companies in New York City.
On December 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former President and Business Manager of IBEW Local 2344, was sentenced to one year probation and a $100 special assessment. On August 28, 2007, Sharp pled guilty to one count of embezzling $630 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On December 13, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Kathleen Drake, former Financial Secretary of Machinists Lodge 2339-C, was charged with, making false entries in union records. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On December 12, 2007, in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George's County, Wesley Leroy Wicks, former President of Graphic Communications International Union Local 1-C, pled guilty to one count of theft of $500.00 or greater. Subsequently, Wicks was sentenced to three years of probation, and paid restitution to the local in the amount of $4,804.70. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On December 10, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Danny E. Beyser, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 1638, was sentenced to one year and a day of incarceration, three years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,135.40, and a $100 special assessment. On October 2, 2007, Beyser pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $70,000 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On December 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Paula Adair-Butts, former office secretary for Plasterers Local 577, pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $28,480. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On December 3, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Steve Dobyns, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders Plastics Local 325, pled guilty to embezzling funds in the amount of $865. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On December 3, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Darren Johnson, former President of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 78, pled guilty to one count of bank robbery and incidental crimes. On November 16, 2007, Johnson was charged with stealing union funds in the amount of $4,756.75 that were within the care, custody, control, management, or possession of Comerica Bank. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 30, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Linda Leonard, former office secretary of Laborers Local 216, was charged with one count of making false entries in union records. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On November 29, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kelli Tyrell-Moore, former executive assistant of the Kansas State Nurses Association, was sentenced to eight months of confinement and three years of probation. Tyrell-Moore was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $63,307. On July 25, 2007, Tyrell-Moore pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
On November 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio,William Pagano, former Secretary Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers,Branch 78, was sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months home confinementwith electronic monitoring and three years probation. Pagano previously plead guilty toembezzling $66,759.18 in union funds. He was also ordered to make full restitution and pay aspecial assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On November 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, William Drake, current President of Steelworkers, Local 1013T pled guilty to knowingly failing to disclose material facts on the local’s annual financial report for years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The plea agreement requires Drake to make restitution in the amount of $3,497.06. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On November 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Christina Wabinga, former Treasurer of Theatrical Employees Local B-66, was sentenced to 12 months probation, fined $2,000, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,533.49. On August 22, 2007, Wabinga pled guilty to one count of false statements and representations of fact, and one count of false entries and concealment in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On November 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Kirk A. Tuttle, former Treasurer of the Professional Airline Flight Control Association - DELTA, was sentenced to 9 months in prison, two years of supervised release, and 150 hours of community service, fined $8,000 and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. Tuttle had previously paid over $159,000 in restitution. On September 7, 2007, Tuttle pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $172,846.16. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On November 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Randy Greear, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 37, pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $22,691.60. On September 11, 2007, Greear was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 20, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Betty Illig, former Secretary-Treasurer of GCIU Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling $145,675 and one count of making false statements. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On November 16, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, an information was filed against Darren Johnson, former President of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 78, charging him with one count of bank robbery and incidental crimes in the amount of $4,756.75. Johnson is alleged to have intended to steal union funds within the care, custody, control, management, or possession of Comerica Bank. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 15, 2007 in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Umatilla County, Robert Steele, former President of AFGE Local 1417, was charged with theft in the first degree and misapplication of entrusted property. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On November 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Brad Dubray, former Treasurer of Carpenters Local 113, pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $14,548.11. On October 15, 2007, DuBray was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On November 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alan Raines, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 1358, was sentenced to 24 months in prison, two years of supervised release, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $145,823.92. Raines had previously paid over $128,000 in restitution. On July 11, 2007, Raines pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $274,262.38. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 8, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Michelle Meek, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3435, was charged with one count of theft within a special territorial jurisdiction of the United States totaling $7,278.28 and two counts of making false entries on financial reports. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Inspector General.
On November 7, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Anthony, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 1196, was charged with eight counts of embezzling union funds totaling $6,955.18 and one count of preparing false union records. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On November 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Linda Peterson, former Secretary-Treasurer of APWU Branch 715, was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,905 and embezzling U.S. Postal Service funds in the amount of $3,600. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
On November 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for Connecticut, Timothy C. Ferrucci, former President of Northeast Emergency Services Union, pled guilty to four counts of filing a false report. Ferrucci admitted making false statements on the local's annual Form LM-3 for the years 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In each of the annual reports, Ferrucci understated the amount of compensation he directly or indirectly received. Ferrucci's plea agreement requires him to make restitution in the amount of $27,347.67. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Haven Resident Office.
On November 1, 1007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Scarrow, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE Local 3749, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to serve six months of home confinement. On August 9, 2007, Scarrow pled guilty to knowingly and willfully making a false entry on the local's Form LM-3 to conceal her misappropriation of union funds. Scarrow had previously made restitution in the amount of $11,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On October 29, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Mary Hartsock, former office manager of Laborers Local 1358 in Elmira, NY, pled guilty to embezzling funds of a labor organization. Hartsock admitted to taking $17,958 in receipts from the local between January 2002 and January 2007. This plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On October 29, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Ron Schweitzer, former President of Steelworkers Local 05-1967, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,305. On April 4, 2007, Schweitzer was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. PDF
On October 26, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Terry Howell, former president of Steelworkers Local 8-505, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $13,210 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the Cincinnati District Office.
On October 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Willie Haynes, former Financial Secretary of UAW Local 362, was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. Haynes had previously made restitution in the amount of $10,201.42. On July 9, 2007, Haynes pled guilty to willfully making false statements on the local's annual financial reports for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On October 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Thomas Saltzman, former Secretary-Treasurer of UTU Local 418, was sentenced to five months imprisonment for embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,528.06. Upon his release from prison, Saltzman will be on supervised release for three years and must make restitution. On August 9, 2007, Saltzman pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On October 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Stephen Priest, former Financial Secretary of UAW Local 1516, was indicted on twelve counts of embezzling funds of a labor organization in the amount of $97,899.19. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On October 18, 2007, in the Justice Court of Copiah County, Mississippi, Luke Funchess, Roger Hartley, Charles Funchess, Patricia West-Benson and Jack Virgil, former officers of IUE/CWA Local 83-799, were charged with one count of obtaining signature or thing of value with intent to defraud. The former officers filed false lost time vouchers to obtain funds from the local. Subsequently, the former officers each pled guilty to the offense and were ordered to pay court fees and restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On October 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Heather Lott, former bookkeeper of Teamsters Local 19, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $140,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On October 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Sandra Gorman, former Treasurer of AFSCME Local 11's ODOT Assembly, pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On October 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Kathy Rankin, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer for Transportation Communications Union Local 512, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $15,622.34. Sentencing has been scheduled for December 21, 2007. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On October 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise Nichols, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050 in Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20. On August 31, 2007, Nichols was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On October 11, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, an indictment was unsealed charging Donna Hammock, aka Donna Jackson or Donna Jones, former President of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 2096, with two counts of making false and fraudulent statements to a federal department or agency. The indictment alleges that Hammock willfully made false and fraudulent statements and representations as to material facts on the local's Form LM-3. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On October 11, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, an indictment was unsealed charging Esau Faaitiiti and Arthur Clark, former President and Vice President, respectively, of the Department of Defense Police Officers Association Local 57 (now known as the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 12), with making false statements and aiding and abetting. The indictment alleges that Faaitiiti and Clark knowingly and willfully omitted payments they received from the union, in the amounts of $5,000 for Faaitiiti and $9,900 for Clark, on the local's Form LM- 3. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On October 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 1768, was sentenced to two years probation for embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,619. Ehlis had previously made restitution of the full amount. On May 17, 2007, Ehlis was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On October 3, 2007, in the Circuit Court of Wayne County, Indiana, Curtis Pittinger, former President of IBEW Local 2043, was charged with three counts of theft of approximately $10,300 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On October 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Curtis Smith and Steve Dobyns, former President and Secretary-Treasurer, respectively, of Glass Molders Plastics Local 325, were charged with embezzling union funds. Smith was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $904.48, while Dobyns was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $850. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On October 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Danny E. Beyser, former Financial Secretary of Mineworkers Local 1638, pled guilty to embezzling over $70,000 in union funds. On June 5, 2007, Beyser was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $83,274.39. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On October 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dwayne Giles, former President of APWU Local 238, was sentenced to five years probation for conspiracy to embezzle union funds. As special conditions of his probation, Giles was ordered to make $11,959.44 in restitution and serve six months in home confinement. On May 30, 2007, Giles pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On September 26, 2007, in the District Court for Douglas County, Wisconsin, John F. Sigafus, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 335-W, was charged with Business Theft over $5,000 and Forgery. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On September 25, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Frank M. McEvoy, former Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for Laborers Locals 1370 and 123, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $11,167.50 from Local 1370 and one count of embezzling union funds totaling $23,779 from Local 123. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On September 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Paula Adair-Butts, former office secretary of Plasterers Local 577, was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $28,480.96. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On September 20, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Klope, former Financial Secretary of Boilermakers Lodge 8-S, was sentenced to three years probation for embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,794. Under the special conditions of his probation, Klope is required to spend the first six months on home detention and perform 100 hours of public service. On June 13, 2007, Klope pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount; Klope had previously paid full restitution to the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On September 20, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, James Douglas, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders Plastic Local 220, was sentenced to 2 years probation and 240 hours of community service. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On September 20, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jose Ocasio, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 404, was sentenced to 2 years probation and 240 hours of community service. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On September 17, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Marlene Watson, former President of the Associated Field Representatives (AFR), was sentenced to 12 months probation for falsification of an annual financial report filed by a labor union. Watson previously made restitution in the amount of $9,030. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manger/Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local 163 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. On September 4, 2007, Capece was charged with knowingly and willfully embezzling union funds in the same amount. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, William J. Pagano, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 78, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $66,759.18. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, former Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers Division 37 Secretary-Treasurer Randy Greear was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $22,691.60. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On September 6, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Richard Lopez, Mark Jones, Cassandra Mosely, and David Rodriquez, current president, former business agents, and former organizer, respectively, of Teamsters Local 743, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to deprive Local 743 members of their honest services and to embezzle, or steal, the official ballots in the 2004 election of officers. Lopez and Jones were each charged with one count each of embezzlement or theft of union property, that being the official ballots, while Moseley and Rodriquez were each charged with two counts of embezzlement or theft of union property, also being the official ballots. The indictment alleges that between August and December 2004, Lopez, Mosely, Jones and Rodriguez engaged in a scheme to rig the election by diverting official ballot packages to their friends, family and associates, and casting the ballots or causing them to be cast in both the October and December 2004 elections for incumbent officers, known as the "Unity Slate," to ensure their election. The seven-count indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On September 6, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Nathaniel Marc Greene, former President of AFGE Local 2562, was sentenced to 10 months confinement, three years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $55,955.76. Greene knowingly and willfully made or used a false writing or document and knew the local's Form LM-3 contained a materially false statement or entry at the time he made or used the report. On April 4, 2007, Greene pled guilty to one count of making a false statement. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs' Office of the Inspector General.
On August 31, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jorge Aponte-Figueroa, former President of International Longshoremen's Association Local Union 1740 was sentenced to five years of imprisonment, and three years of supervised release for embezzling 1.9 million dollars in union funds. On April 2, 2007, Aponte-Figueroa was found guilty of twelve counts of embezzlement, five counts of false reporting on LM reports, conspiracy, and money laundering. The sentencing follows a joint investigation conducted by the OLMS Puerto Rico Resident Investigator Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On August 31, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Judy A. Thurman, former Treasurer of Federated Independent Texas Union (FITU) Local 900 pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $164,268.50. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On August 31, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise M. Nichols, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20 and two counts of false records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former Business Manager of IBEW Local 2, pled guilty to one count of embezzling, stealing, and willfully converting to his own use $630 of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On August 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James B. Green, former Secretary-Treasurer of Railroad Signalmen's Local Lodge 49, was sentenced to 25 months confinement, three years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $500, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $36,025.80. On May 17, 2007, Green pled guilty to five counts of embezzlement of labor organization funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Debra M. Timko and Danny L. Iverson, former Presidents of Service Employees Local 150, pled guilty to two counts of willful failure to maintain union records. Iverson and Timko failed to generate and maintain adequate and necessary records to establish that various payments made by Local 150 were proper under the union's policies. The payments included reimbursement of expenses incurred by Iverson and Timko that were not reimbursable due to their failure to comply with the union's policies. Under their plea agreements, Iverson and Timko agreed to make restitution totaling approximately $63,000. The guilty pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On August 22, 2007, Carson Combs, former secretary treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 1771 in Sparta, WI was charged by the Monroe County, WI District Attorney’s Office with theft from Local Lodge 1771 in the amount of $401. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On August 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Christina Wabinga, former Treasurer of Theatrical Employees Local B-66, pled guilty to one count of false statements and representations of fact, and one count of false entries and concealment in union records. Wabinga agreed to pay restitution totaling $3,533.49, and $2,000 in fines. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On August 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, William Kendrick, former Treasurer of APWU Local 238, was sentenced to six months of home detention, five years probation, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $26,236.94. On May 23, 2007, Kendrick pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
On August 16, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Terry Howell, former President of USWA Local 8-505, was charged with embezzling $13,210.86 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Bridgett C. Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of the American Postal Workers Local 332, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,820.17. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, James Douglas, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders Plastics Local 220, pled guilty to concealing, withholding, and destroying union records. Douglas destroyed the records to conceal his embezzlement of approximately $12,857 in union funds. On July 2, 2007, an information was filed against Douglas charging him with one count of concealing, withholding, and destroying union financial records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On August 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Claudia R. Thompson, former President of PACE (now Steelworkers) Local 513, was sentenced to one year of probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $26,201.68, and ordered to attend a substance abuse program. On May 15, 2007, Thompson pled guilty to one count of willfully making false entries in financial records to conceal her embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On August 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Thomas Saltzman, former Secretary-Treasurer of UTU Local 418, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $32,010. On February 21, 2007, Saltzman was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On August 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Scarrow, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE Local 3749, pled guilty to one felony count of knowingly and willfully making a false entry on a Form LM-3 Report to conceal her misappropriation of union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On August 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brad Harper, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 1629, pled guilty to one count of making materially false statements on the annual financial report filed by Local 1629. On June 5, 2007, Harper was indicted on three counts of making false reports. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 7, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, David Hlavacek, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Local 7065 and the Missouri State Postal Workers Union, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $4,783. On January 18, 2007, Hlavacek pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On August 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Lorraine Payton, former President of the National Federation of Federal Employees, Veterans Administration Council, pled guilty to one count of mail fraud. On March 16, 2007, Payton was charged in a superseding indictment with mail fraud and false statements to a government agency. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On July 30, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Brenda Sue Myers, also known as Brenda Sue Barnett, former President of AFGE Local 2282, pled guilty to one count of making a false statement. Subsequently, Myers was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $21,500 and sentenced to three years supervised release. On July 2, 2007, Myers was charged with falsely reporting that Local 2282 disbursed loans in the amount of $21,500, when she knew that statement was materially false and that she had taken the money for her own personal use. The plea and sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On July 30, 2007, in Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Bradley Burton, former Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, was charged with one count of second degree theft for causing the AFL-CIO to pay $7,663.34 in meal expenses for his wife. Subsequently, Burton pled guilty to the information and received a suspended sentence of 180 days in jail, 70 hours of community service, probation for one year, a $350 fine and was ordered to make any restitution that had not already been repaid. The information, plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On July 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, an information was filed against William J. Pagano, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers Local 78, charging him with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $66,759.18. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On July 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Walter Fisher, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union Local 1949, was sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by six months of home detention and two years probation. Fisher was ordered to attend drug and alcohol counseling, gambling counseling and financial management counseling. Fisher was also ordered to pay $45,000 restitution to the union. On May 3, 2007, Fisher pled guilty to one count of embezzling more than $30,000, but less than $70,000, in union funds. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On July 25, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kelli Tyrell-Moore, former executive assistant of the Kansas State Nurses Association, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On April 18, 2007, Tyrell-Moore was charged with embezzling $63,397.16 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On July 23, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Michael A. Pingitore, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Delaware Rural Letter Carriers Association, pled guilty to six counts of embezzling union funds totaling $58,908.38. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the USPS Office of the Inspector General.
On July 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Frederick Contini, developer of the 2 Broadway Project, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make $8,085,000 in restitution. On March 31, 2003, Contini pled guilty to Conspiracy to Receive, Possess and Dispose of Money Obtained by Fraud and Transported Across State Lines, Obstruction of Justice, and engaging in an Unlawful Monetary Transaction. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI of members and union officials of Elevator Constructors Local One.
On July 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan (Northern Division), Willie Haynes, former Financial Secretary of UAW Local 362, pled guilty to one count of willfully making false statements on the annual financial reports (Form LM-2) filed by Local 362 for fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003. On June 19, 2007, Haynes was charged with making false statements and representations of material facts. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On July 7, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Larry Haislip, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 09-7509-S, was sentenced to six months probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100.00, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $49,428.78. On January 23, 2007, Haislip pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor organization funds in the amount of $1,702.97. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On July 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, an information was filed against Brenda Sue Myers, also known as Brenda Sue Barnett, former President of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2282, charging her with falsely reporting that the union had disbursed loans in the amount of $21,500.00, when she knew that statement was materially false and that she had taken the money for her own personal use. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On July 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, an information was filed against James E. Douglas, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders Plastics Local 220, charging him with concealing, withholding, and destroying union records. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On July 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, an information was filed against Jose Ocasio, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 404, charging him with making false entries in union records. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On June 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Maria Clayton, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders Plastics Local 236A, was sentenced to six years probation, which includes three months of home confinement. Clayton was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $41,126 and continue counseling. On December 5, 2006, Clayton pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On June 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Anthony C. Price, former Business Manager and Recording Secretary of ILA Local 1316, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $11,804 and pay a special assessment of $100. On March 13, 2007, Price pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On June 22, 2007, in the County Court of Sarpy County, Nebraska, Nancy Stanek, was convicted of Criminal Attempt - Second Degree Forgery and sentenced to twelve months probation. On April 13, 2006, Stanek, the wife of Roofers Local 85's president, pled guilty to forging $5,100 in unauthorized checks drawn on the local's account. The conviction and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
On June 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Willie Dell Clark, former Treasurer of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 36, was ordered to serve 180 days of home confinement, monitored by an electronic bracelet; followed by a three-year probationary sentence including mandatory community service of 250 hours. Clark was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $69,095.60, and to pay an assessment of $100. On July 1, 2004, Clark pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On June 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Deborah Walters, former Treasurer of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 8330, was sentenced to six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, five years probation, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $25,891.11. On March 15, 2007, Walters pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 22, 2007, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former Regional Administrator of CWA District 7, was sentenced to 500 hours of community service to be completed within three years and a term of probation to expire at the completion of the community service. On March 13, 2007, Dorsey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $22,798.29. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On June 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Kenneth E. Hilbish, former President of Teamsters Local 528, was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,000 and pay a special assessment fee of $100. Hilbish was also barred from holding union office for 13 years. From 2001-2002, Hilbish unlawfully obtained assets of Local 528 totaling $21,305. On October 20, 2006, Hilbish pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On June 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Vicky Liefer, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Mine Workers Local 1458, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,019. On March 1, 2007, Liefer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On June 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, James F. Hill, former president of Fellow Associates Involved in Representation (FAIR), an independent union, was sentenced to four years probation, assessed a fee of $100, and ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $9,456. On March 12, 2007, Hill pled guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On June 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Klope, former Financial Secretary of Boilermakers Lodge 8-S, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On January 11, 2007, Klope was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,794. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On June 12, 2007, Lisa Oatman, former recording secretary of Carpenters Local 1594 in Wausau, WI was charged by the Marathon County, WI District Attorney’s Office with theft from Local 1594 in an amount greater than $2,500 but less than $5,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On June 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Linda Holden, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 639 (formerly PACE Local 6-639), was ordered to serve a two-year probationary sentence that includes 180 days of home confinement. Holden was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $74,090.09, a special assessment of $100, and to continue counseling. On August 29, 2006, Holden pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Hohlbauch, former Financial Secretary of AFSCME Local 3600, was sentenced to two years probation for willfully making false entries in financial records. On April 11, 2007, Hohlbauch pled guilty to making the false entries to conceal his embezzlement of $5,073 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On June 11 and 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Lawrence Marable and Deborah Powell, former President and Treasurer, respectively, of AFGE Local1793, representing employees at the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia, both pled guilty to one count of conspiracy, five counts of theft of property in a special territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and one count of making a false statement. Marable and Powell conspired to convert dues checkoff checks and issue Local 1793 checks for their personal use totaling $184,129.85. The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
On June 11, 2007, in the Logan County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, an embezzlement investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office resulted in the subject entering into the Pre-Trial Diversion program. Under the terms of the Pre-Trial Diversion agreement the subject must pay costs of prosecution and complete a minimum of 18 months of supervised release. The subject made restitution prior to the agreement. Due to the confidential nature of the Pre-Trial Diversion program, details that could identify the subject are not public information.
On June 6, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Martin Hayes, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1671, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,033.25. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On June 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, James A. Pulsifer, a certified public accountant, was sentenced to 1 year probation and a $1000 fine for making a false representation of a material fact. In the course of making accounting adjustments, Pulsifer misclassified expenditures by approximately $500,000 when he prepared the Form LM-2 for the Seattle-based Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). SPEEA officers who signed the report believed that it was free of errors and in compliance with Department of Labor regulations. On February 20, 2007, Pulsifer pled guilty to knowingly making a false statement or representation of a material fact in a report required to be filed with the United States Department of Labor. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On June 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Danny E. Beyser, former Financial Secretary of Mineworkers Local 1638, was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $83,274.39. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On June 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brad Harper, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 1629, was indicted on three counts of making false reports. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On June 4, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Kenneth H. Mays, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 1053, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,197. On January 16, 2007, Mays pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor organization funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On May 31, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Kirk A. Tuttle, former Treasurer of the Professional Airline Flight Control Association - DELTA, was indicted on one count of embezzlement of labor union funds totaling approximately $172,846.16. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On May 25, 2007, in Massachusetts Pittsfield District Court, Norman M. Haskins, former Treasurer of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local 01-62, pled guilty to larceny over $250. Haskins was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,192 and pay an assessment of $50. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On May 25, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Charles "Chuck" Crawley, former President of Teamsters Local 988, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for embezzlement, mail fraud relating to a union election, and making false entries into the union's records. Additionally, Crawley was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $121,478. On December 8, 2006, Crawley was convicted of mail fraud arising from a scheme to defraud the local union members' right to honest services by using the mail during an October 2002 union officer election. Crawley was also convicted of embezzling union property in the form of a ballot and address labels in connection with the election. In addition, he was convicted of arranging and accepting a $20,000 kickback from the installer of a telephone system into the union's hall and of falsifying the voucher for the telephone installation. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
On May 25, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, David Taylor, former Financial Secretary of Carpenters and Millwrights Local 1402, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and fined $35,074.18. Taylor had previously paid full restitution to the union plus more than $14,000 in interest. On October 10, 2006, Taylor pled guilty to one count of making false statements on an LM report as part of a scheme to embezzle $72,422 from the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 25, 2007, in Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Quentin Womack, former Secretary-Treasurer of Service Employees International Union, Conference of Firemen and Oilers Local 1050, pled guilty to one count of second degree theft and was subsequently sentenced to 120 days suspended sentence, nine months of supervised probation and ordered to make restitution. On March 28, 2007, Womack was charged with one count of First Degree Theft for embezzling $3,326.80 from the union. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, James Russell, former Treasurer of Stage & Picture Operators Local 9, located in Syracuse, NY, was sentenced to five years probation, which includes six months of home confinement, and ordered to make restitution. On January 19, 2007, Russell pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $54,776.65. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On May 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Graham Paul Vane, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1280, was indicted on one count of embezzlement of labor union funds totaling over $170,000 and four counts of making false statements to a Government Agency. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On May 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, William Kendrick, former Treasurer of APWU Local 238, pled guilty to conspiring to embezzle union funds. Kendrick and Dwayne Giles, former Local 238 President, co-signed checks that allowed Kendrick to embezzle approximately $26,237 in union funds. On February 28, 2007, Kendrick was charged with one count of conspiring to embezzle union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
On May 23, 2007, in the County Court of Adams County, Colorado, William J Kohut, former Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1755, was charged with Theft (One Count), Identity Theft (One Count), Unauthorized Use of a Financial Transaction Device (One Count), and Forgery (One Count), in connection with his alleged conversion of union funds totaling $2,839.65. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On May 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 1769, was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the amount of $5,619.90. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On May 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Claudia R. Thompson, former President of PACE (now Steelworkers) Local 513, pled guilty to one count of willfully making false entries in financial records to conceal her embezzlement of $26,201 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Janet Humphries, former President of SEIU Local 99, was sentenced to 5 years probation and ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service. Additionally, Humphries was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,149, and to pay a special assessment of $500. On November 13, 2006, Humphries pled guilty to one count of conspiracy and three counts of embezzlement for conspiring to finance Martin Ludlow's campaign for Los Angeles City Council with Local 99 funds, and for using union funds to pay for a trip to the Virgin Islands for her daughters and a family friend. The conviction follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
On May 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alan Raines, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 1358 was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $274,262.39, and one count of bank fraud. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On May 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Stephen A. Kostelac, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Local 906, was sentenced to six months home detention, five years probation, a $100 special assessment, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $26,079.38. On February 7, 2007, Kostelac pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On May 9, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Catherine Crosier, former employee of the Maine Education Association, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $45,500. On November 27, 2006, Crosier pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in excess of $30,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On May 3, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Walter Fisher, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union Local 1949, pled guilty to one count of embezzling more than $30,000, but less than $70,000, in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, an embezzlement investigation conducted by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office resulted in the subject entering into a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement. Under the terms of the Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement, the subject agreed to one year of court supervision, 150 hours of community service, and restitution. Due to the confidential nature of the Pre-Trial Diversion program, details that could identify the subject are not public information.
On April 30, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Dennis P. Harper, former Branch President and advocate of National Postal Mail Handlers Local 304, was sentenced to three years probation, including three months house arrest and ordered to make restitution of $2,543.10. On December 20, 2006, Harper was convicted of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 27, 2007 in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania-Philadelphia County, Evelyn Lewis, former Secretary-Treasurer of RWDSU, Local 1034 in Philadelphia, was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking (One Count), Theft by Deception (One Count), Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received (One Count), Access Device Fraud (One Count) and Conspiracy (One Count), in connection with her alleged embezzlement of $10,265 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On April 26, 2007, an embezzlement investigation conducted by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office resulted in the subject entering into a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement with Kentucky Commonwealth’s Attorney for the 38th Judicial Circuit. Due to the confidential nature of the Pre-Trial Diversion program, details that could identify the subject are not public information.
On April 25, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Marlene Watson, former President of the Associated Field Representatives (AFR), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $9,030 and one count of making a false statement in an annual financial disclosure report. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On April 24, 2007, in the Justice Court of Las Vegas Township for Clark County, Nevada, Tiffany Stone [aka Tiffany Huntsman], former dues clerk of Sheet Metal Workers Local 88, was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000. On February 21, 2007, Stone pled guilty to one count of theft of union funds in the amount of $10,540. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Las Vegas Resident Investigator Office and the Las Vegas Office of the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On April 23, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Thomas P. Obzut, former Secretary-Treasurer of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU), Local 735S was sentenced to two years probation, the first six months to be served under house arrest, a $500 fine, a $100 special victim assessment, and psychiatric counseling as directed by the US Probation Department for gambling addiction. Obzut has made full restitution to the union. On November 30, 2006, Obzut pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $21,099.17. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On April 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kelli Tyrell-Moore, former employee of Kansas Nursing Association, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $63,397.16. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigative Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Judy A. Thurman, former Treasurer of Federated Independent Texas Union, Local 900, in Fort Worth, Texas, was indicted on 13 counts of embezzling union funds totaling $44,462, and six counts of willful falsification of union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Leonard Capozzoli, a member of Elevator Constructors Local One, was sentenced to three years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,216, and a $200 special assessment. On March 27, 2002, Capozzoli pled guilty to conspiracy to demand and receive unlawful labor payments, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, the FBI, and the IRS.
On April 17, 2007, in the Iowa District Court of Woodbury County, Marcia Dewey, former Secretary- Treasurer of AFGE Local 769, pled guilty to 2nd Degree Theft and was subsequently sentenced to a five year suspended sentence and placed on two years probation. On January 11, 2007, Dewey was charged with stealing union funds in the amount of $1,525. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On April 10, 2007, in the Monroe County (Indiana) Circuit Court, Glenn Collins, former President/Business Manager of IBEW Local 2249, pled guilty to criminal conversion of union funds. Collins was fined $250 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $840. In addition, Collins agreed to a 13 year bar from holding union office or employment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 14, 2007 in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania- Philadelphia County Court, Gerard Groom, former President of RWDSU, Local 1034 in Philadelphia was charged with Theft by Unlawful Taking (One Count), Theft by Deception (One Count), Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received (One Count), Access Device Fraud (One Count) and Conspiracy (One Count), in connection with his alleged embezzlement of $13,040 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office
On April 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Hohlbauch, former President of AFSCME Local 3600, pled guilty to one count of willfully making false entries in financial records to conceal his embezzlement of $5,073 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On April 6, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Kathy Schurosky, former office manager for Carpenters Local 2520, was sentenced to six months probation and a special assessment of $25 for willfully making false entries in the financial records of a labor organization. Schurosky had previously made full restitution in the amount of $3,397.86. On April 5, 2006, Schurosky pled guilty to the misdemeanor offense of willfully making false entries in union financial records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On April 4, 2007 in the District Court of Wyandotte County, Kansas, a warrant was issued charging Carl Oliver, a former employee of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, with two counts of theft and one count of forgery associated with the loss of $4,432.67 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On April 4, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Nathaniel Marc Greene, former President of AFGE Local 2562, pled guilty to one count of making a false statement. Greene admitted that he knowingly and willfully made or used a false writing or document and knew the local’s Form LM-3 contained a materially false statement or entry at the time he made or used the report. Restitution will be determined at sentencing which has not yet been scheduled. The plea agreement follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 4, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Schweitzer, former President of PACE Local 1967, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,305.30. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 3, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. Brown, former Business Manager of Plumbers Local 237 in Texarkana, Texas, was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office, the Dallas Regional Office of the Department of Labor’s Employment Benefit Securities Administration and the Dallas Office of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On April 4, 2007 in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County Court, Derek Baldwin, former President of the Workers Independent Union was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $8,200 in restitution. Baldwin pled guilty to theft by failure to make required disposition of funds and securing execution of documents by deception. On August 14, 2006, a criminal complaint was filed against Baldwin charging him with theft by deception, tampering with records, forgery, and receipt of stolen property for his theft of $12,700 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On April 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Andrew Konspore, former Treasurer for Northeast Emergency Services Union, a labor organization representing paramedics and emergency medical technicians in New Haven, Connecticut, was sentenced to five months incarceration followed by three years of supervised probation. The first five months of the supervised probation will be under monitored home confinement. Konspore was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $91,605.39, and a special assessment of $100.00. On September 28, 2006, Konspore pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Haven Resident Investigator Office.
On April 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jorge Aponte-Figueroa, President of International Longshoremen's Association Local Union 1740, was found guilty of twelve counts of embezzlement, five counts of false reporting on LM reports, conspiracy, and money laundering. On July 19, 2005, Aponte-Figueroa was charged, among other counts, with conspiracy to embezzle union funds in excess of $1,950,000, falsely reporting the amount of dues paid to Local 1740 on Forms LM-2 and LM-3, and failing to report $1,489,478.89. After the verdict was announced, Aponte-Figueroa was immediately arrested and imprisoned. He faces 14 to 15 years in prison.
A second trial is expected to begin this summer, involving ERISA violations in which Aponte-Figueroa and others are charged with conspiracy to unlawfully convert ERISA funds exceeding $8,000,000 to their own use. The conviction was a result of an on-going joint investigation conducted by the OLMS Puerto Rico Resident Investigator Office, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Juan, Puerto Rico
On March 30, 2007, in Albany County, New York, Court, John T. Daley, the former chief financial officer of the New York State Nurses Association Albany, NY, was sentenced to 3 1/3 to 10 years imprisonment and ordered to make restitution. On January 4, 2007, Daley pled guilty to grand larceny in the second degree for taking $1,193,869.79 in union funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the Town of Colonie Police Department.
On March 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William Dowdell and Tom Honold, former President and Secretary-Treasurer , respectively, for Communications Workers, Local 23 were sentenced for making false entries in union financial records. Dowdell was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $3,192.99 to the CWA International. Honold was sentenced to two years of probation, three months of which is house arrest. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $4,458.56 to the CWA International and a $1,000 fine. The $1,000 fine was waived because Honold provided proof that he was financially unable to pay it. On December 5, 2006, Dowdell and Honold each pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union financial records.
On March 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Kay Joy Andrews, former bookkeeper for Carpenters Local 1780, was sentenced to 5 years probation, including 6 months home confinement. Andrews was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $40,086.50. On September 29, 2006, she pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $55,765.75. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Las Vegas Resident Investigative Office and the Las Vegas Office of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Allison Cole, former office secretary for Letter Carriers Branch 30, was sentenced to a term of three years probation. Cole was also ordered to make restitution of $4,731.49. On November 21, 2006, Cole pled guilty to making false entries in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigative Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Tammara Schultz, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 4101, was sentenced to two years probation, including six months of home confinement for making false entries in the union's financial records. Shultz was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $22,499.93. On December 14, 2006, she pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On March 15, 2007, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, Suzanne Green, former bookkeeper of IBEW Local 613, entered an Alford plea as part of a plea agreement. Under the plea agreement, Green agreed to make complete restitution of $11,203.00 and serve five years probation, of which three years are to be supervised. On July 11, 2006, Green was charged with one count of theft-by-taking of union funds in the amount of $11,203.00. The plea agreement follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Deborah Walters, former President of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 8330, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,012. On October 4, 2006, Walters was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount and five counts of falsification of union records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On March 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Judith Ann Banks Sims, former operator of Professional Employee Leasing, Inc.(PEL), an employee leasing company associated with PACE Local 03-543, was sentenced to twelve months home confinement, two years probation, and a special assessment of $100. On February 9, 2006, Sims pled guilty to one count of false statements and concealment of facts in relation to documents required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On March 14, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Timothy Pulvermacher, former Financial Secretary for USWA Local 9444 in Plymouth, MN, was sentenced to 180 days home confinement followed by five years supervised release. Pulvermacher was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $29,062.10. On November 7, 2006, Pulvermacher pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Milwaukee District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 13, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former CWA District Seven Regional Administrator, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. Dorsey embezzled $22,798.29 from the union by submitting approximately 200 fraudulent restaurant receipts with his expense vouchers and receiving reimbursements based on those receipts. On January 26, 2007, Dorsey was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On March 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, James Frederick Hill, former President of Fellow Associates Involved in Representation (FAIR), an independent union, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $9,456. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On March 8, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Keith H. Cook, former Secretary Treasurer for United Transportation Union Local 620 was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling $48,287.47 and one count of willfully making a false entry in union records. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 6, 2007, in Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Delores Walker, former Secretary of AFGE Local 476, was indicted on one count of fraud, one count of first degree theft, and eighteen counts of second degree theft. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 6, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, a criminal information was filed against James Frederick Hill, former President of Fellow Associates Involved in Representation (FAIR). Hill was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,456. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On March 6, 2007, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Court, Christine Smith, former President of AFGE Local 2028, pled guilty to one count of theft by deception and one count of forgery. Smith was sentenced to seven years probation for each count to run consecutively and required to make restitution in the amount of $64,299. Smith was also barred from holding union office for 13 years. Prior to sentencing, Smith made an initial restitution payment of $3,000. Additionally, the court ordered Smith to sell or re-finance any properties she owned to pay the restitution, and set July 31, 2007 as the expected date for Smith to make "a significant and substantial payment" toward restitution or she will be incarcerated. On April 17, 2006, Smith was charged with 53 counts of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 2, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Mary Love, former President of AFGE Local 96, was sentenced to 18 months incarceration to be followed by three years of probation. Love was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $69,725. On November 15, 2006, Love was convicted on two counts of making a false statement on a Form LM-3 and one count of larceny within a special maritime jurisdiction. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On March 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Vicky Liefer, former Secretary-Treasurer for United Mine Workers Local 1458, pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,019. On January 11, 2007, Liefer was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On February 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dwayne Giles and William Kendrick, former President and Treasurer, respectively, for APWU Local 238, were charged in a one-count indictment with conspiring to embezzle union funds. The two are alleged to have co-signed checks that allowed Giles to embezzle approximately $15,589 and Kendricks to embezzle approximately $26,237 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On February 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Penny Suddith, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Union #14426 in Peoria, IL, was sentenced to six months of home confinement followed by three years of probation. Suddith was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,906.88. On November 14, 2006, Suddith pled guilty to one count of filing false reports. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On February 27, 2007, in Circuit Court, Burnett County, WI, James L. Turner, former Secretary-Treasurer for AFGE Council 33, Bureau of Prisons Locals, was convicted of theft in violation of a Burnett County ordinance. Turner was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,600, and a forfeiture of $709. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On February 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Charyle Emel, former President for American Postal Workers Local 2013, entered a guilty plea for falsification of union records. Emel was ordered to return any union records in her possession to the local union within 20 days and to make restitution to the union in an amount to be determined at a later date. On December 29, 2006, Emel was charged with one count of falsifying union financial records by willfully making or causing to be made a false loan agreement between herself and the local. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On February 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Thomas E. Saltzman, former Secretary-Treasurer for United Transportation Union Local 418, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds. The indictment was the result of an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On February 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Catherine Bronson, former Business Representative for Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 21 in Rochester, MN, was sentenced to 180 days home confinement followed by three years of supervised release. Bronson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $28,850. On September 7, 2006, Bronson was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $35,675. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On February 21, 2007, in the Justice Court of Las Vegas Township for Clark County, Nevada, Tiffany Stone [aka Tiffany Huntsman], former dues clerk for Sheet Metal Workers Local 88, pled guilty to one count of theft of union funds and agreed to pay $10,000 in restitution. On September 1, 2006, Stone was indicted for theft of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Las Vegas Resident Investigative Office and the Las Vegas Office of the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On February 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Connie Jacobs, former office manager for IBEW Local 495, was sentenced to twelve months and one day incarceration to be followed by three years probation. Jacobs was ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100 and pay restitution in the amount of $119,431.56. On November 14, 2006, Jacobs pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On February 20, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, James A. Pulsifer, a certified public accountant, pled guilty to a false representation of a material fact. Pulsifer admitted that that in the course of making accounting adjustments, he misclassified expenditures by approximately $500,000 when he prepared the Form LM-2 report for the Seattle-based Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA). SPEEA officers who signed the report believed that it was free of any errors and in full compliance with the Department of Labor regulations. On November 30, 2006, Pulsifer was charged with knowingly making a false statement or representation of a material fact, in a document, report or other information required to be filed with the United States Department of Labor. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. [Related documents: HTML| PDF]
On February 16, 2007, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Michael Griffie, an electrical contractor, was sentenced to one year of community control. On March 30, 2006, Griffie was charged with aggravated theft of property or services worth $100,000 or more from IBEW Local 212, and with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding the local. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 13, 2007, an embezzlement investigation conducted by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office resulted in the subject entering into the Pre-Trial Diversion program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Jefferson County Circuit Court. Under the terms of the Pre-Trial Diversion agreement, the subject must complete two years supervised release. The subject made restitution prior to the agreement. Due to the confidential nature of the Pre-Trial Diversion program, details that could identify the subject are not public information.
On February 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James B. Green, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer for the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Local Lodge 49, was indicted on five counts of embezzling union funds totaling $36,025.80. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On February 9, 2007, in the Pittsfield Massachusetts District Court, a criminal complaint was issued against Norman Haskins, former Treasurer for NAGE Local 01-62, charging him with larceny in the amount of $2,192. The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On February 8, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Debra M. Timko and Danny L. Iverson, former Presidents of Service Employees, Local 150, were charged in a 33-count superseding indictment with mail and wire fraud, embezzlement, and failure to maintain union records as part of a scheme to defraud the union of over $90,000. The indictment supersedes a March 21, 2006 indictment. Timko and Iverson allegedly schemed to defraud the union by receiving duplicate payments for expenses, receiving reimbursement for charges to a union credit card, and receiving reimbursement for meal expenses incurred on days in which they claimed and received a full day of per diem. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On February 8, 2007 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Sally Hollis, former bookkeeper for Office & Professional Employees (OPEIU) Local 112, was sentenced to two years probation that will include four months in a community corrections center and a special assessment fee of $100, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,543.60. On October 23, 2006, Hollis pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in an amount over $20,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On February 7, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Stephen A. Kostelac, former Secretary-Treasurer for Boilermakers Local 906, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On November 29, 2006, Kostelac was charged in a 16-count indictment with embezzling $13,748.22 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Patrick Kennedy, former Financial Secretary for Painters Local 720, was sentenced to five years probation; six months home confinement; drug treatment; no gambling; $100 court fine; and ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $15,621.81. On October 31, 2006, Kennedy pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On February 6, 2007, in the United States District Court for Eastern District of New York, Charles Novak, former Executive Vice President for Elevator Constructors Local One was re-sentenced by a US District Court Judge to 97 months in prison. Novak appealed his original sentence of nine years imprisonment and three years supervised release for crimes related to a no-show job scheme at 19 different construction sites in New York City. The case is a result of a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the FBI.
On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judy Cary, former Office Manager for CWA Local 6127, was sentenced to five years probation, three months home confinement, and 300 hours of community service. Cary was ordered to pay a $7500 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $25,267 in restitution. On August 31, 2006, Cary pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On February 1, 2007, an embezzlement investigation conducted by the OLMS Seattle District Office resulted in the subject entering into a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement with the Superior Court of Washington for Pierce County. Under the terms of the Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement, the subject must make full restitution to the union, pay an administrative fee, and comply with other conditions of the program. Due to the confidential nature of the Pre-Trial Diversion program, details that could identify the subject are not public information.
On January 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, David Hlavacek, Secretary-Treasurer for APWU Local 7065 and Missouri State Postal Workers' Union, entered a plea of guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $6,383 from the labor organizations. On December 18, 2006, Hlavacek had been charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 26, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, criminal information was filed against Kermit Dorsey, former CWA District 7 Regional Administrator, charging him with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On January 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Russell J. Liming, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary for Sheet Metal Workers Local 183, was sentenced to one week of imprisonment followed by three years probation with the first 120 days to be served in a half-way house. Liming was ordered to pay a $250 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $2,421 in restitution to Franklin Savings & Loan. On October 3, 2006, Liming pled guilty to one count of bank fraud. Liming falsely represented that he was acting on behalf of the local when he obtained a loan from the bank, the proceeds of which he used for personal purposes. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On January 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, information was filed against Larry Haislip, former Financial Secretary for Steelworkers Local 7509, charging him with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $1,702.97. On January 23, 2007, Haislip pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The information and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On January 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District Of Alaska, Kathy Schurosky, former employee for Carpenters Local 2520, was charged with one count of making false entries in union records in the amount of $2,360. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On January 22, 2007, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Michael Griffie entered a plea of no contest to unauthorized use of property. On March 30, 2006, Griffie was charged with aggravated theft of property or services worth $100,000 or more from IBEW Local 212, and with tampering with market recovery fund forms and forging market recovery fund forms, both for the purpose of defrauding the local. The no contest plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 19, 2007, in the Iowa District Court of Woodbury County, arrest warrants were issued for Marcia Dewey, former Secretary-Treasurer for AFGE Local 769, charging her with one count of theft and two counts of forgery for drawing $1,525 in unauthorized checks from the union's account. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
On January 19, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, James Russell, former Treasurer for Stage & Picture Operators Local 9 pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $54,776.65. On April 19, 2006, Russell was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On January 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Danna France, former Secretary/Treasurer for AFGE Local 96, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make $26,950.90 in restitution to the local. On October 27, 2006, France pled guilty to one count of willfully submitting to the Department of Labor an annual financial report containing false information. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Klope, former Financial Secretary for Boilermakers Lodge 8-S, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,794. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Vicky Liefer, former Secretary/Treasurer for United Mine Workers Local 1458, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,019.50. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Hohlbauch, former Financial Secretary for AFSCME Local 3600, was indicted on one count of making a false entry in a union record. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 10, 2007, in the Monroe County (Indiana) Circuit Court, Glenn Collins, current President of IBEW Local 2249, was charged with knowingly exerting unauthorized control over Local 2249's property with intent to deprive the local of any part of its value or use. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
On January 8, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, was sentenced to six-month confinement followed by 150 days of home detention, and three-years supervised release. Stark was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,376.89 plus an additional $26,783.64 in investigative costs incurred by the local. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On January 4, 2007, in Albany County, New York Court, John T. Daley, the former chief financial officer of the New York State Nurses Association pled guilty to grand larceny in the second degree. Daley admitted to taking $1,193,869.79 from the union. On November 21, 2006, Daley was indicted on one count of grand larceny in the first degree. The conviction follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the Town of Colonie Police Department.
Last Updated: 02/12/10