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 October 30, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Andra Parker, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) DC Department of Corrections (DOC) Labor Committee (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On October 23, 2024, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, Dion Guthrie, former Business Manager/President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1501 (located in Cockeysville, Md.), was charged with one count of theft, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On October 15, 2024, in the Superior Court of Muscogee County in Columbus, Georgia, Meleesa Geathers, former Financial Secretary of Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 84 (located in Columbus, Ga.), was indicted on 11 counts of theft by conversion (seven counts having a value less than $1,500 and four counts having a value of more than $1,500) and one count of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor, in violation of O.C.G.A 16-8-4 and 16-4-1, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On October 7, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dilanjan Miller, former President of United Steelworkers Local 513 (located in Ypsilanti, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in the amount of $47,347. On August 7, 2024, Miller, was charged in an information with one count of bank fraud for embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,696, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On October 1, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Antoine Shepard, former office administrator of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1168 (located in Bronx, N.Y.), was charged in an information with one count of bank larceny totaling $32,323, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b). On the same date, Shepard pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On October 1, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donald Byers, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 287 (located in Ashville, Pa.), was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release that includes six months of home incarceration. Byers was ordered to pay $1,273 in remaining restitution and a $125 special assessment. Byers previously paid $40,000 to the union and $4,100 to the surety company. On May 13, 2024, Byers pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On September 25, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Summit County, Ohio, John Morter, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4484 (located in Akron, Ohio), pleaded guilty to theft in the first degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(3) and 2913.02(B)(2), and misuse of credit cards in the first degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.21(B)(2) and 2913.21(D)(3). He was then sentenced to 30 days in jail (suspended) and ordered to pay $2,799 in restitution and a $350 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 13, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Seid, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 306 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $65,843, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On the same date, Seid pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On September 10, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Kevin Kleinhenz, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 673 (located in Olmsted Falls, Ohio), was charged in a criminal information with embezzlement of approximately $89,457, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 5, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Northern Division, Michael Wayne Nelson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 496 (located in Wheelersburg, Ohio) was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $35,748, one count of forgery, and one count of identity theft, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 513(a), and 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(7) and (b)(1)(D), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On August 23, 2024, in the Pittsfield District Court in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Robert Lucey, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 286 (located in Pittsfield, Mass.), pleaded guilty to one count of larceny over $1,200, eight counts of forgery of a check, and eight counts of uttering a false check, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, 30(1); c. 267, 1; and c. 267, 5, respectively. Lucey was then sentenced to two years in a house of correction (suspended) and two years of probation, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount $7,961. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Pittsfield Police Department.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Newton B. Jones, former President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy, 47 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, two counts of theft in connection with health care, one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of health care fraud conspiracy, and three counts of theft from an ERISA program, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 669, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1349, and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, William Creeden, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy, 47 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, two counts of theft in connection with health care, one count of wire fraud conspiracy, one count of health care fraud conspiracy, and three counts of theft from an ERISA program, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 669, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1349, and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kateryna Jones, former Special Assistant to the International President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy, 41 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, and two counts of theft in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 18 U.S.C. 669, respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Warren Fairley, former President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy and 38 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Lawrence McManamon, Sr., former Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy and 38 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Cullen Jones, former Video Technician/Film Project Coordinator of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy, eight counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, and two counts of theft in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962 (d), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 18 U.S.C. 669, respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Kathy Stapp, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB) (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted with one count of racketeering conspiracy, 44 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, and two counts of theft in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 18 U.S.C. 669, respectively. The indictment seeks forfeiture of $20,000,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Randal Dunlap, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1018 (located in Manhattan, Kans.), was sentenced to 13 months of imprisonment and 2 years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $129,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On May 1, 2024, Dunlap pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On August 13, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Muriel Newman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2779 (located in Gainesville, Fla.), was sentenced to three years of probation with the first 12 months on home detention. She was also ordered to pay $28,415 in restitution and a $500 fine. On January 22, 2024, Newman pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1519, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On August 12, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Thomas J. Erickson, former Business Manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 429 (located in Lowell, Mass.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On August 7, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dilanjan Miller, former President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2513 (located in Ypsilanti, Mich.), was charged in an information with one count of bank fraud for embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,696, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On July 31, 2024, in the Washington County Circuit Court in the State of Arkansas, Thomas Hill, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers State Association (NALC SA) (located in Fayetteville, Ark.), pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft of property, in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated 5-36-103(b)(1)(A). He was then sentenced to 240 months of unsupervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $82,204 in restitution and $450 in fees and assessments. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On July 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Jacob Wilkins, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Nebr.), was sentenced to 60 months of probation and 10 weekends of imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $21,381 in restitution and a $50 special assessment. On April 24, 2024, Wilkins pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division, Robert Cirilo, former President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-1647 (located in Corpus Christi, Tex.), was indicted on 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $287,368, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 31, 2024, in the Oakland County, Michigan Circuit Court, Robyn Williams, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 320 (located in Waterford, Mich.), was sentenced to one day of jail time (with credit served for one day), three years’ probation, and 100 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay $2,727 in restitution and $258 for fees and assessments. On June 24, 2024, Williams was found guilty following a two-day trial of one count of false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.218(4)(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
On July 30, 2024, in the First Circuit Division Court in the State of Hawaii, Lilinoe Smith, former Member Services Representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1186 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to a one-count information for theft in the first degree exceeding $20,000, in violation of Hawaii Revised Statutes Sections 708-830.5(1)(a) and 708-830(1). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office.
On July 25, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joe Scott, former Treasurer of International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 81154 (located in Gardner, Mass.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling approximately $49,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On July 25, 2024, in the United States District Court for Northern District of Iowa, Brock A. Willson, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Roofers Local 182 (located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), was sentenced to 8 months of imprisonment and 60 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $30,280 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 25, 2024, Willson pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 24, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Donald Fox, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Nebr.), was sentenced to 48 months of probation and 5 weekends of imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $14,874 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Fox previously paid $9,746 of restitution. On April 28, 2023, Fox pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 24, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Yumika Clayton, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 554 (located in Springhill, La.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On July 11, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, former Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 72 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay forfeiture of $353,941, a $7,100 special assessment, and $50,000 in restitution now, with full restitution to be determined at a later date. On December 7, 2023, Dougherty was found guilty following a four-week trial of one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan, 33 counts of embezzlement of union funds, 22 counts of wire fraud theft from the union, two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee, two counts of filing a false LM report, two counts of falsifying union records and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1343, 29 U.S.C. 439(b), 29 U.S.C. 439(c), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), respectively. On November 15, 2021, Dougherty was found guilty following a five-week trial of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and seven counts of honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1346, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former President Jamey Goheens of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree in violation of Section 155.35 in violation of New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former President Thomas O’Keefe of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree in violation of Section 155.35 in violation of New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former Area Vice President Craig Mothersell of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the third degree in violation of Section 155.35 in violation of New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former Treasurer Joseph McVey of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree in violation of Section 155.30 in violation of New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former Vice President Roy Arndt of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree in violation of Section 155.30 in violation of New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former Executive Vice President Michael Lacey of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree in violation of Section 155.30 of the New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 2, 2024, in the State of New York Court for the Town of Champlain in Clinton County, former Executive Vice President David Murtagh of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 138 (located in Champlain, N.Y.) was charged with one count of with one count of petit larceny, in violation of Section 155.25 of the New York State Penal Code. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the New York State Police, and the Clinton County District Attorney’s Office.
On June 27, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Thomas J. Erickson, former Business Manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 429 (located in Lowell, Mass.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor union in the amount of $36,649, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
On June 26, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Manuel Anaya, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers for America (UMWA) Local 3106 (located in Socorro, N. Mex.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay a $2,100 special assessment. On February 5, 2024, Anaya pleaded guilty to 21 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On June 26, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment, 3 years of supervised release, forfeiture of $135,689, a $1,800 special assessment, and restitution to be determined later. On December 7, 2023, Burrows was found guilty following a four-week trial of one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan, 13 counts of embezzlement of union funds, two counts of filing a false LM report, two counts of falsifying union records, and three counts of filing false federal income tax returns in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 29 U.S.C. 439(b), 29 U.S.C. 439(c), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1) respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On June 26, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Tracy Vargas, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3138 (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was charged in a one-count criminal information of making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On June 25, 2024, in Galveston District Court, Galveston, Tex., Lance Leitner, former Secretary Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLET) Division 776 (located in League City, Tex.), was indicted for Second Degree Felony Theft from a Non-Profit Organization, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03(f.3.b). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On June 24, 2024, in Oakland County, Michigan Circuit Court, Robyn Williams, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch (NALC) 320 (Waterford, Mich.) was found guilty following a two-day trial of one count of false pretenses of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000 in violation of Michigan Complied Laws 750.218(4)(a). The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
On June 18, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Marcus Asay, the founder and chairman of the American Labor Alliance (ALA) (located in Fresno, Calif.), was found guilty following a 19-day trial of committing a multi-year pension fraud scheme. The jury also convicted Asay and ALA of committing separate workers’ compensation and hardship exemption fraud schemes in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 1349, 18 U.S.C. 1956, and 18 U.S.C. 1343. The total loss associated with all of the schemes was over $3,000,000. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Social Security Administration.
On June 18, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Antonio Gastelum, a former officer of the American Labor Alliance (ALA) (located in Fresno, Calif.), was found guilty following a 19-day trial of committing a multi-year pension fraud scheme in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 1349. The loss caused by the pension fraud scheme was over $750,000. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Social Security Administration.
On June 10, 2024, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), pleaded Nolo Contendere to three counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-41-3 and six counts of personal income tax violations, in violation of R.I. General Laws 44-30-94(a). He was ordered to five years of probation. He previously made restitution of $4,000 for the embezzlement and $7,675 for his tax liability. He agreed to pay the remaining tax liability of $8,864 in the next 12 months. The plea and sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Office of Inspector General.
On June 6, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Calhoun County, State of Alabama, Robert Anthony Mozee, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail And Transportation Workers (SMART) LU 622 TD (located in Odenville, Ala.), pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor (theft 4th) for knowingly obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over U.S. Currency, having a value exceeding $2,000, the property of the SMART TD LU 622, with the intent to deprive the owner of property, in violation of 13A-8-3 of the Code of Alabama. On the same day, he was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On June 4, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Andra Parker, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) Labor Committee (located in Washington, D.C.), was indicted on three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and one count of first degree fraud, in violation of 22 D.C. Code Sections 3221(a) and 3322(a)(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 23, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Tyler Brown, former Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the International President of the International Boilermakers Union (located in Kansas City, Kans.), pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On May 16, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Tyler Brown, former Chief of Staff and Special Assistant to the International President of the International Boilermakers Union (located in Kansas City, Kans.), was charged in a one-count information of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On May 13, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donald Byers, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 287 (located in Ashville, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On May 10, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Christen Woods, former President of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees (NUHHCE) 1199C (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged with conspiracy, corrupt organizations, dealing in unlawful proceeds, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, receiving stolen property, and forgery, in violation of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 Sections 903, 911, 5111, 3922, 3927, 3925, and 4101, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On May 2, 2024, in the Circuit Court of Hancock County, Kentucky, Andy Meserve, President of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9423 (located in Lewisport, Ky.), was charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking valued at $1,000 or more and one count of theft by deception valued at $1,000 or more, in violation of Kentucky Revised Statute Sections 514.030 and 514.040, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On May 1, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Randal Dunlap, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1018 (located in Manhattan, Kans.), guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $86,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 30, 2024, in the First Circuit Court in the State of Hawaii, Lilinoe Smith, former Member Services Representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1186 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in a one-count information with theft in the first degree exceeding $20,000, in violation of Hawai’i Revised Statutes, Sections 708-830.5(1)(a) and 708-830(1). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office.
On April 29, 2024, in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, Ivan Berry, former Treasurer of Utility Workers Local 584 (located in Newark, Del.), pleaded guilty to a charge of theft of $1,500 or more, a Class G felony, in violation of Delaware Code Title 11 Section 841. He was sentenced on the same day to two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $54,949 in restitution, and to have no unlawful contact with Local 584 members or property. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On April 26, 2024, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky 46th Judicial District, Division II, Meade Circuit Court, Kari Shelman, former Treasurer of Guards Local 15 (located in Louisville, Ky.), pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft by unlawful taking or disposition for embezzling $7,843 in union funds, in violation of Kentucky Revised Statutes 514.030. She was then sentenced to one year in prison diverted for five years. Shelman previously paid restitution totaling $11,517. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On April 24, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Jacob Wilkins, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Nebr.), pleaded guilty to two counts of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 19, 2024, in the Northern District of Alabama, Tannoccus Bryant, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 131 (located in Tuscaloosa, Ala.), pleaded guilty to a five count information that included one count of embezzlement; two counts of making false statements in violation of; and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1001, and 18 U.S.C. 1028, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On April 12, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Jason T. Weaver, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1509 (located in Beckley, W. Va.), was sentenced to five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $2,896 in restitution. On November 2, 2023, Weaver pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 25, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Elizabeth Dawn Talavera, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3694 (located in Waddell, Ariz.), was sentenced to 48 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $55,766 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 31, 2023, Talavera pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On March 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Jay Garnsey, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 717 (located in Ilion, N.Y.), was sentenced to four years of probation, and ordered to pay $38,173 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On September 28, 2022, Garnsey pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Ilion Police Department.
On March 18, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Frank Loconte, former President of NER Construction Management Corporation, was sentenced to 20 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,726,614 in restitution, a $15,000 fine, and a special assessment of $200. NER is a Wilmington-based construction company that employed union workers, including members of Bricklayers Local 3 and various local unions affiliated with the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council. On September 6, 2023, Loconte pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud and one count of failing to pay taxes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 26 U.S.C. 7202, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 11, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Andrea Anderson, former employee of the Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen (located in Lakeville, Mass.), was sentenced to two years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $30,316 in restitution. On October 31, 2023, Anderson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On March 4, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 3 years of probation and 40 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $10,376 in restitution, a $5,000 fine, a $500 assessment, and $2,044 in forfeiture. On December 21, 2022, Fiocca pleaded guilty to five counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On March 1, 2024, in the District Court for the State of Alaska, First Judicial District of Ketchikan, Michael Williams, former Secretary/Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 200 - Unit 62 (located in Ketchikan, Alaska), pleaded guilty to theft in the third degree, in violation of AS11.46.140(a)(1). He was then sentenced to one year in jail (suspended) and five years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $4,245 in restitution and a $50 fine. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On February 22, 2024, in the Criminal Court of Davidson County, Tennessee, Mary French Poindexter, former Treasurer of Tennessee Staff Union (located in Nashville, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of theft of property in the amount of $112,688, in violation of Tennessee Code 39-14-103, a Class B felony. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On February 22, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 3 years of probation and 80 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $13,491 in restitution, a $5,000 fine, a $600 assessment, and $1,079 in forfeiture. On December 19, 2022, Rodriguez pleaded guilty to six counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On February 21, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, former Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 15 days of incarceration, 3 months of home confinement, and 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $11,903 in restitution, a $2,000 fine, a $400 assessment, and $2,777 in forfeiture. On December 19, 2022, Crawford pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On February 20, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, former Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 13 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. Neill was also ordered to pay $92,733 in restitution, $27,715 to the Internal Revenue Service, a $10,000 fine, a $600 special assessment, and $25,259. in forfeiture. On December 21, 2022, Neill pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzlement of union funds, one count of theft from an employee benefit plan, and one count of filing false federal income tax returns, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 26 U.S.C 7206(1), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with assistance from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On February 15, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Dawn Munoz, former outside bookkeeper for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1929 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was sentenced to 24 months of jail confinement and 12 months of supervised release. Munoz was also ordered to pay $70,269 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On May 10, 2023, Munoz pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting in the preparation and presentation of a false return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 15, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Marie Noth, former Deputy Administrator of the trusteeship imposed on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 777 (located in Milwaukee, Wis.), was sentenced to two years of supervised release. Noth was also ordered to pay $70,900 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 15, 2023, Noth pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On February 1, 2024, in the Pittsfield District Court in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Robert Lucey, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 286 (located in Pittsfield, Mass.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of larceny over $1,200, eight counts of forgery of a check, and eight counts of uttering a false check,, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c.266, 30(1); c.267, 1; and c.267, 5, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Pittsfield Police Department.
On January 29, 2024, in the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, Ivan Berry, former Treasurer of Utility Workers Local 584 (located in Newark, Del.), was charged in a two-count indictment with theft and unlawful use of a payment card, in violation of Delaware Code Title 11, Sections 841 and 903(a), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On January 25, 2024, in the United States District Court for Northern District of Iowa, Brock A. Willson, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Roofers Local 182 (located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On January 22, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Muriel Newman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2779 (located in Gainesville, Fla.), pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1519, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On January 17, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth Wynder Jr, former President of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was sentenced to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Wynder was ordered to pay $838,683 in restitution, $529,000 in forfeiture, and a $700 special assessment. On May 30, 2023, following a five-day jury trial, Wynder was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to evade federal taxes, and federal tax evasion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 26 U.S.C. 7201. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
On January 17, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Andrew Brown, former Benefits Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Brown was ordered to pay $529,000 in restitution, $3,049 in forfeiture, and a $200 special assessment. On May 30, 2023, following a five-day jury trial, Brown was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.
On January 3, 2024, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Randal Dunlap, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1018 (located in Manhattan, Kans.), was charged in a seven-count indictment for embezzling approximately $86,000 in union funds, filing false reports, and falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 29 U.S.C. 439(b), 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
Last Updated: 11-05-24