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 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Jackson, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 4065 (located in Plano, Tex.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $41,246.95 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On March 15, 2012, a jury found Jackson guilty of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,246.95, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On December 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Gregory E. Brown, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 777 (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement totaling $6,587.57, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On December 18, 2012, in Stearns County Court of Minnesota, James Kiser, former Directing Business Representative of Machinists District Lodge 165 (located in St. Cloud, Minn.), was charged with four felony counts of theft by swindle, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52. The complaint alleges that Kiser stole $5,919 from Local 165 between January 2010 and February 2012. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On December 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Manuel Nogueira, former Recording Secretary of Steelworkers Local 4-421 (located in Auburn, Mass.), was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,000 and a $200 special assessment. On April 27, 2011, Nogueira pled guilty to one count of conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), one count of embezzlement (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and one count of aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On December 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Mark Morgan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 2584 (formerly located in Fremont, Ind.), was sentenced to three years of probation including eight months of home detention with electronic monitoring. Morgan was also ordered to pay $17,616.70 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 20, 2012, Morgan pled 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 District Office.
On December 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Gloria Dickinson, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 421 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 30 days of home confinement, five years of probation, and 40 hours of community service. She was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $21,713.32. On September 14, 2012, Dickinson pled guilty to one count of making false statements on an LM report, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, in order to conceal her embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On December 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Bryan Lowry, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 33 (located in Forrest City, Ark.), pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with making a false writing, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1013, and was then sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $4,114 in restitution. The charge and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.
On December 12, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Bonnie Nixon, former Secretary Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Lodge W443 (located in Laurel, Miss.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $15,981.66, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans Office.
On December 12, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Paulette McClure, former Financial Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 36 (located in Pattison, Miss.), was charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling $8,166.13 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans Office.
On December 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Claude Huff, former President and business manager of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1385 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $110,348.39 and a special assessment of $100. On September 4, 2012, Huff pled 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 Cincinnati District Office.
On December 5, 2012, in the Hamilton County Criminal Court for the State of Tennessee, Clarence Howard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 789 (located in Chattanooga, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of theft of property valued at over $1,000, in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-103. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On December 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Caleb Gray-Burriss, President of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (located in Washington, D.C.), was found guilty by a jury following a trial on 18 counts including six counts of mail fraud for theft from the union’s pension plan, six counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, one count of criminal contempt, one count of tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion, one count of failure to file LM reports, one count of filing false LM reports, and one count of failing to maintain union records. The total amount of loss attributed to Gray-Burriss’ actions is more than $250,000. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On November 29, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Annie Walker, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $19,774.13, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On November 29, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Joseph Grygorcewicz, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1566 (located in Tonawanda, N.Y.), pled guilty to embezzling $39,989.72 from his union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Grygorcewicz admitted to writing checks to himself and forging the signature of the union president on the union’s checks. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On November 28, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Kristine Stephens, former administrative assistant and bookkeeper for Painters Local 567 (located in Sparks, Nev.), was charged with embezzling approximately $80,000 in union funds by stealing over-the-counter cash dues payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On November 26, 2012, in the Adams County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Randy G. Paulson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sub-Lodge 1125 (located in Adams, Wis.), was ordered to pay $264 in restitution, a $486 fine, and a $37.50 restitution surcharge by January 25, 2013. On the same date, Paulson entered a no contest plea to one count of theft in a business setting of less than $2,500. Paulson previously paid restitution totaling $2,245 prior to sentencing. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On November 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Patricia Race, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 959 (located in Fremont, Ohio), was charged in a one-count indictment with knowingly failing to disclose a material fact in the union’s annual financial report Form LM-3, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On November 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alan Grayewski, former Chairperson of Utility Workers Local 223 – Office, Professional & Technical Division (located in Dearborn, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $9,794.76 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On August 24, 2012, Grayewski pled guilty to one count of failing to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 16, 2012, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Clark, David Currie, former President and Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2583 (located in Vancouver, Wash.), was charged in an information with two counts of theft in the 2nd degree, in violation of WA RCW 9A.56.020 (1)(a)/9A.56.040 (1)(a). The charges followed an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On November 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Frank Rysz, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1124 (located in New Stanton, Pa.), pled guilty to a one-count indictment for embezzling $12,514.91 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On November 15, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Joseph Allen, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 588 (located in Athens, Ga.), was indicted on one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344; one count of providing a false statement to a credit union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1014; one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b); and six counts of embezzling union funds totaling $3,107.73, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On November 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Cora Carper, former Political Action Committee (PAC) Fund Manager for the Insulators International Union (located in Lanham, Md.), was charged in a six-count indictment with embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for allegedly embezzling $502,586 from the union by writing more than 300 checks to cash from the PAC fund. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), were each charged in a one-count information with aiding and abetting each other in embezzling $19,197.02 in union funds by making unauthorized ATM and cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account and using the money for their personal expenses, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 14, 2012, in the Hennepin County Court of Minnesota, Dennis Earley, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 87140 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle over $5,000, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52, SUBD. 2(4), SUBD. 3(2). Earley was then sentenced to 10 days in a work house, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine. As a condition of probation, Earley will not be allowed to hold union office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On November 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Robert A. Stephenson, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 2903 (located in Westville, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). Stephenson pled guilty to willfully failing to disclose approximately $18,000 of union funds he disbursed for his personal use. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On November 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Danny L. Hubbard, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1380 (located in Panama City, Fla.), was charged in a 24-count indictment with wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta and New Orleans District Offices.
On November 8, 2012, in the Dakota County (Minnesota) District Court, David Westgard, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 65 (located in Mendota Heights, Minn.), was charged with theft by swindle of over $5,000. The complaint alleges that Westgard stole union funds in the amount of $22,710 between August and December 2011. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On November 8, 2012, in the 4th Judicial District Court, County of Rusk, Texas, Roberto Macias, Jr., former president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2759 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was charged with 3rd degree felony theft of $2,800, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On November 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Ryan Forbes, former Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 1129 (located in Cartersville, Ga.), was sentenced to eight months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $35,952.57. On August 28, 2012, Forbes pled 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 Tampa Resident Investigator Office.
On November 7, 2012, in the Texas 176th Criminal District Court, Kemberly Fields, a former Texas commissioned law officer and former President of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 300 (located in Harris County, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of confinement and was ordered to pay $5,644.40 in restitution and a $5,000 fine. On November 5, 2012, a jury found Fields guilty following a trial for aggregate theft from a nonprofit organization, in violation of Texas Criminal Statute Section 31.03. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On November 6, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kevin Jones, former President of the Metropolitan Campus Police Officers Union (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $28,504.96 from the union by making withdrawals at the bank and at ATMs and by making personal purchases on the union's debit card. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Doris Taylor, former Secretary-Treasurer of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On November 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Robert Misuraca, former District 4 Staff Representative for the United Steelworkers International Union (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $266.53 in remaining restitution plus a $100 special assessment. Misuraca was also ordered to participate in programs for mental health assessment, alcohol rehabilitation, and gambling. On June 25, 2012, Misuraca pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $17,566, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On October 30, 2012, in the Circuit Court for the County of Henrico, Virginia, Tim Shell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 561 (located in Richmond, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more for embezzling money from a union, in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-111. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On October 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Melody Wouden, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2342 (located in Ft. Meade, S.D.), was charged in a two-count indictment with providing a false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, and larceny in an amount under $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 7(3) and 661. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On October 22, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Barbara Patton, former President and Vice President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 4469 (located in Johnstown, Pa.), pled guilty to withholding financial records required to be maintained by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Patton was then sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. Patton had previously paid restitution of $1,705.41. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On October 22, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kevin Jones, former President of Metropolitan Campus Police Officers Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $28,504.96, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On October 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert K. Lauermann, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 682 (located in Whiting, Ind.), was ordered to pay $5,742.85 in restitution, a $500 fine, and a $25 special assessment. On April 18, 2012, Lauermann pled guilty to a one-count information for filing false reports with the Railroad Retirement Board, in violation of 45 U.S.C. 231(l). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On October 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Owen Daniel Smith, former Secretary-Treasurer for the Civilian Technicians Association Chapter 117 (located in Jacksonville, Ark.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,023, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Smith then pled guilty to the charge. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On October 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Kelley Dull, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2904 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), and former President of AFGE Council 171 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to six months of incarceration, three years of supervised probation (up to six months of which will be home detention with electronic monitoring), and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,118.66 and a $100 special assessment. On February 1, 2012, Dull pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On October 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John McNamee, President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 829 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $150,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
On October 12, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Rachel Lanham, former office secretary for Machinists District Lodge 34 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to six months of home confinement followed by three years of supervised release. Lanham was also ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $104,867.45 and pay a $100 special assessment. On June 30, 2012, Lanham pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On October 10, 2012, in the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County, Michigan, Richard Ikerd, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2568 (located in Melvindale, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. On July 9, 2012, a complaint was filed charging Ikerd with the same crime. The sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2013. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On October 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Rebecca Mercer, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 284 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was sentenced to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,822.22, and a $600 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On October 3, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was sentenced to 10 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $27,321.63 in restitution, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On June 28, 2012, Irwin pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $47,096, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On October 3, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joya Mills, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2500 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). On September 20, 2011, Mills was charged with the same offense. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On October 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Victor Rovani, III, former business representative for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 454 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to three years of probation including one year of home confinement for three counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,322. In addition, Rovani was ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 to be paid in $100 monthly installments, a special assessment of $300, and the cost involved for the required electronic monitoring equipment. Rovani previously paid restitution to the union. On April 30, 2012, Rovani pled guilty to three counts of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On October 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Andy Alerte, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 4-421 (located in Auburn, Mass.), was sentenced to six months of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $5,100 and a $25 assessment. On March 14, 2012, Alerte pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain records and one count of making false entries. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On October 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Roody Lespinasse, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 4-421 (located in Auburn, Mass.), was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $20,818 and a $25 assessment. On February 21, 2012, Lespinasse pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On October 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Ronald Witt, former business manager and JATC Trustee of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 450 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised release. Witt was also ordered to pay $198,333.10 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 19, 2012, Witt pled guilty to one count of conspiring to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Graciela Jimenez, Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2263 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution $7,919 in restitution and a $25 assessment. On June 26, 2012, Jimenez pled guilty to one count of embezzlement within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On September 26, 2012, in the District Court for Webb County, Texas, 111th Judicial District, Manuel Luebbert, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) Local 1563 (located in Laredo, Tex.), was charged with one count of breach of fiduciary property totaling $5,670, in violation of Texas Statute 32.45. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On September 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, an information was filed charging Robert Hill, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 1271 (located in Billerica, Mass.), with 27 counts of embezzlement of labor union funds totaling $8,650, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On September 20, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Northern Division), Renita Dompier, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 283 (located in Baraga, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation including six months of home detention with electronic monitoring. Dompier was also ordered to pay $11,793.89 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On May 10, 2012, Dompier pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,725.99, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On September 20, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jeff Agee, former business representative for Machinists Lodge 10 (located in Richmond, Va.), was sentenced to 180 days of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Agee had previously paid full restitution of $26,139.13. On May 10, 2012, Agee pled 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 Washington District Office.
On September 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, four former members of Teamsters Local 82 (a merged union previously located in South Boston, Mass.), former Secretary-Treasurer John Perry, and members James “Jimmy the Bull” Deamicis, Joseph “Jo Jo” Burhoe, and Thomas Flaherty, were charged in a 30-count indictment including charges of RICO, Hobbs Act Extortion, Prohibition Against Persons from Holding Office, Mail Fraud, Aiding and Abetting, and other federal forfeiture charges. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Boston Police Department.
On September 19, 2012, in the District Court for Hunt County, Texas, 196th Judicial District, Rosalin Dukes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3607 (located in Greenville, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of credit/debit card abuse and was then sentenced to five years of deferred adjudication probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay $18,598.34 in restitution, $285 in court costs, and a $50 Crime Stoppers fee. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Greenville Police Department.
On September 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Aundrea Valerio, former dispatcher for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), pled guilty to two counts of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea stems from a $320,000 embezzlement scheme involving Valerio and two other former union employees who were also charged and convicted separately. On April 28, 2010, Valerio was charged with embezzling approximately $13,500. Valerio is scheduled to be sentenced in January 2013. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On September 18, 2012, in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona (Navajo County), Christina Carr, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7008 (located in Show Low, Ariz.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay $5,853.19 in restitution. On July 10, 2012, Carr pled guilty to one count of theft, a class 6 open-ended felony, in violation of Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 13-1802(A)(2), 13-1801, 13-701, 13-702, and 13-801. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.
On September 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Curtis Reed, former staff representative for the Steelworkers International Union (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to a one-count indictment for embezzling $3,694.32 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On September 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Hector Lopez, former President of Painters Local 8A-28A (located in Long Island City, N.Y.) and the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Local 8A-28A Welfare Fund, was arrested and arraigned on a 15-count indictment with charges of conspiracy to embezzle $750,000 from the local's employee benefit plan, mail fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, structuring financial transactions, and tax evasion. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division.
On September 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Rickey Harper, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 769 (located in El Dorado, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation with the first six months including home confinement with electronic monitoring and was ordered to pay $20,853.72 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Harper must pay at least 10% of his net income every month or $25. Full restitution must be made prior to his probation ending. On February 3, 2012, Harper pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On September 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, David Ing, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to four months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $200 special assessment. Ing previously paid restitution of $79,291.24. Ing was further ordered to undergo treatment for his gambling addiction and was restricted from engaging in any gambling activities, legal or illegal, while serving his sentence. On May 31, 2012, Ing pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of structuring cash transactions to evade reporting requirement, in violation of 31 U.S.C. 5324(a)(3). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division.
On September 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Gloria Dickinson, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 421 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The OLMS investigation revealed that the defendant overstated the amount of assets on the union's 2008 LM report. The loss amount related to this offense was $21,713.32. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On September 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby M. Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 assessment. Stegner paid full restitution in the amount of $41,321.25 on the day of sentencing. On May 30, 2012, Stegner pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On September 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Kevin Threat, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-84 (located in Alexandria, Va.), was sentenced to 60 days of home detention, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $15,505. On March 12, 2012, Threat pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 11, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, an information was filed charging Lawrence E. Minas, former General Chairman of United Transportation Union (UTU) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) 449 (located in Palos Heights, Ill.), with one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $71,160, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On September 11, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Charles E. Rocha, former Political Director of the United Steelworkers International Union (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was indicted on 18 counts of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $6,971.19, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On September 10, 2012, in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Illinois, William Adrian, former Business Manager for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 101 (located in Belleville, Ill.), was sentenced to 366 days in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution of $102,572.78 and a $200 special assessment. On March 30, 2012, Adrian pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and theft from an employee pension or welfare plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Laura Dixon, former office secretary for the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. Additionally, Dixon was ordered to undergo mental health and alcohol counseling and was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $170,216 and a $100 special assessment. On March 13, 2012, Dixon pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Vance Valentine, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 524 (located in Willis, Tex.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $1,287 in restitution and a $25 assessment. On January 26, 2012, Valentine pled guilty to one count of filing false union reports with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On September 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Sheila Valentine, spouse of Vance Valentine, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 524 (located in Willis, Tex.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $1,287 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On January 23, 2012, Valentine pled 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 New Orleans District Office.
On September 6, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, a criminal information was filed charging Gloria Dickinson, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 421 (located in Washington, D.C.), with one count of false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, for overstating the amount of assets on the union's 2008 LM report. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On September 5, 2012, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Victor Davis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3283 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to six months of incarceration (suspended), one year of probation, and was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $1,358. On August 21, 2012, Davis pled guilty to one count of theft. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On September 4, 2012, in the United States District Court of the Western District of Missouri, Michael Palmer, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFCSME) Local 1379 (located in Fulton, Mo.), was sentenced to 120 days of confinement, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $1,931 and a $200 fine. On April 4, 2012, Palmer pled guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On September 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Claude Huff, former Business Manager/President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1385 (located in Dayton, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The amount will not exceed $110,348.49. On February 14, 2012, Huff was indicted for the same charge. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On September 4, 2012, in the First Judicial Parish Court of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Lori Fowler, former office manager for Carpenters Local 764 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), pled guilty to one count of forgery and one count of high grade felony theft in the amount of $25,117.74. Fowler was then sentenced to five years at hard labor, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On August 28, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Ryan Forbes, former Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 1129 (located in Cartersville, Ga.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On the same day, Forbes pled guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the Tampa Resident Investigator Office.
On August 28, 2012, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Clark, William Hainsey, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) District 11 (located in Vancouver, Wash.), was charged with a single count of theft in the first degree, in violation of WA 9A.56.020 (1)(a)/9A.56.030(1)(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On August 24, 2012, in the Berrien County (Mich.) Circuit Court, Linda Caldwell, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 383 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit organization of $200 or more but less than $1,000. Caldwell was then sentenced to pay a total of $435 in fines, fees, and court and state costs. Caldwell previously paid full restitution of $700. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Marqueeta Tibbs, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 437 (located in Portsmouth, Ohio), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $34,903.53 and a special assessment of $100. On January 25, 2012, Tibbs pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Zeffrey Tibbs, spouse of Marqueeta Tibbs, former office secretary of Carpenters Local 437 (located in Portsmouth, Ohio), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On February 24, 2012, Tibbs pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alan Grayewski, former Chairperson of Utility Workers Local 223 – Office, Professional & Technical Division (located in Dearborn, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Stacy Johnson, former cashier for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison for embezzling funds from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c), and one year in prison for falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), to be served concurrently. Johnson will be on supervised release for one year following her release. Johnson was also ordered her to pay $53,500 in restitution. On April 4, 2012, a jury found Johnson guilty following a trial. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On August 22, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Darrell Goldsby, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-2140S (located in Pleasant Grove, Ala.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay the remaining restitution in the amount of $5,569.15 and a $600 special assessment. On March 8, 2012, Goldsby pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $10,869.15, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and five counts of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 21, 2012, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Victor Davis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3283 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of theft from a union of more than $500 and less than $5,000. Davis was also ordered to pay $1,358.26 in restitution. On August 7, 2012, Davis was convicted by a jury of grand theft following charges brought by the U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Finance and Accounting Service Criminal Investigations Branch. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the U.S. Department of Defense – Defense Criminal Investigative Service.
On August 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Tammy Greene, former Financial Secretary for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83793 (located in Selma, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,500 and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, a second superseding indictment was returned charging Caleb Gray-Burriss, President of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (NASPSO), located in Washington, D.C., on multiple counts. The superseding indictment charges Gray-Burriss with two additional counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $68,374.99 from the union and one count of conspiracy to embezzle, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Gray-Burriss was previously indicted on four counts of embezzlement from a labor organization totaling more than $116,000, six counts of mail fraud totaling more than $102,000, one count of criminal contempt; two counts of tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion; one count of failure to file reports required by the LMRDA; one count of falsification of reports required by the LMRDA; and one count of failure to maintain records in sufficient detail required by the LMRDA. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On August 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Terence J. “T.J.” Bonner, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Border Patrol Council 83 (located in Laredo, Tex.), was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349, and 11 counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The indictment also states that Bonner illegally obtained hundreds of thousands of dollars in union funds to which he was not entitled and provides notice of forfeiture pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(c) and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office, Customs and Border Protection - Internal Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service.
On August 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Stennett Bernard, former President of Steelworkers Local 4-421 (located in Auburn, Mass.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and electronic monitoring and five years of probation. Bernard was also ordered to pay restitution of $175,312 and a special assessment of $200. The restitution amount was increased to include the amount of money Bernard conspired to pay his co-conspirators. On May 31, 2012, Bernard pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On August 14, 2012, in the Berrien County, Michigan Circuit Court, a criminal complaint was filed charging Linda Caldwell, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 383 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), with one count of embezzlement from a non-profit organization of $200 or more but less than $1,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Paul Morales, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1477 (located in Taylor, Mich.), was sentenced to three years of probation (including the completion of 15 hours per week of community service for the first year of probation) and was ordered to pay $25,329.39 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On April 18, 2012, Morales pled guilty to one count of willfully failing to maintain union records of unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $22,829.39, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On August 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Adam C. Raimer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1027 (located in Fresno, Calif.), was indicted on the following four counts: one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $41,429.65, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); two counts for filing false financial reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b); and one count for the unauthorized use of an Office Depot Credit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). Raimer was arrested on December 20, 2012. The indictment and arrest follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On August 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Annie Walker, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFCSME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was indicted on one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On August 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Doris Taylor, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFCSME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was indicted on one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On August 6, 2012, in the Hennepin County Court of Minnesota, Dennis Earley, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 87140 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was charged with one count of theft by swindle over $5,000, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52, SUBD. 2(4), SUBD. 3(2). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On August 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Pete Irwin, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and five years of probation. Irwin was also ordered to pay $19,774.70 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On June 7, 2012, Irwin was indicted for falsifying a financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and pled guilty. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On August 1, 2012, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Cowlitz, Sean Heuer, former office assistant for the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 536 (located in Longview, Wash.), was charged with a single count of theft in the second degree, in violation of WA 9A.56.040(1)(a), and three counts of forgery, in violation of WA 9A.60.020(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On July 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Tyrone Freeman, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 6434 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was indicted on four counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; seven counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $29,416.62, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of making false statements to a federally insured institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1014; and three counts of subscribing to a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
On July 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Loretta Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3491 (located in Gary, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of concealing and withholding financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Brown was then sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to make restitution of $3,929.51. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On July 13, 2012, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Jefferson, Michael Morgensen, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 12-175 (located in Port Townsend, Wash.), pled guilty to both forgery and theft in the third degree, in violation of Washington RCW 9A.60.20 and 9A.56.020. Morgensen was then sentenced to 364 days in jail and was required to make restitution of $7,000. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On July 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Rufino Sanchez, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3 10 (located in Ronkonoma, N.Y.), was indicted and an arrest warrant issued for 22 counts of mail fraud related to the misappropriation of $15,723 in union funds. On August 16, 2012, Sanchez was arrested and arraigned. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On July 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Juan P. Rios, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 23 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $15,407.77 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 27, 2011, Rios pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On July 27, 2012, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County District Court, Lynda Nordyke, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1302 (located in Lynn, Mass.), pled guilty to one count of larceny over $250, in the amount of $1,438, in violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 30. Nordyke was then sentenced to 30 days of probation and was required to make restitution of $1,438. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On July 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Tammy Allen, former Secretary-Treasurer of Retail Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 184 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to five months of confinement, five months in a residential re-entry facility, and three years of supervised probation upon release. Allen was also ordered to pay $45,766.81 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On October 17, 2011, Allen pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On July 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Angelo Schifino, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 532 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation, 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Schifino had previously paid full restitution of $9,917. On March 19, 2012, Schifino pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, James Charleston, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), Jacquelyn Pugh-Rodgers, former Vice President, and Mary Craigen, former Secretary-Treasurer, were each charged in a five-count indictment with one count of embezzlement of more than $1,000 on a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, and two counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On July 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Lanny F. Pauley, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1412 (located in Garden City, Kans.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $14,898.51 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On September 12, 2011, Pauley pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On July 12, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pamela S. Hinzman, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1580 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $22,304.22 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 10, 2012, in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona (Navajo County), Christina Carr, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7008 (located in Show Low, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of theft (Class 6 felony), in violation of the State of Arizona Statute 13-1802(A)(2). Carr pled guilty to embezzling $5,853.19 in union funds by misusing the union debit card and writing union checks for personal purposes. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office.
On July 9, 2012, in the 19th District Court of Wayne County, Michigan, a felony complaint was filed charging Richard Ikerd, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2568 (located in Melvindale, Mich.), with one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On July 3, 2012, in the First Judicial Parish Court of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, Lori Fowler, former office manager for Carpenters Local 764 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), was charged with one count of theft in the amount of $25,417.74, in violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On June 28, 2012, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, BMC Department, a criminal complaint was filed against David Beard, current President and Business Manager of Laborers Local 381 (located in Charlestown, Mass.), charging him with three counts of Larceny Over $250 in the amount of $7,709, in violation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 266, Section 30. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On June 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dennis Clayton, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 708 (located in Durand, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with making false entries in union records by preparing and submitting false lost time vouchers resulting in him receiving $1,186.80 to which he was not entitled, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Linda Purdy, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 708 (located in Durand, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with making false entries in union records by preparing and submitting false lost time vouchers resulting in her receiving $2,787.40 to which she was not entitled, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alan Grayewski, former Chairperson of Utility Workers Local 223 – Office, Professional, & Technical Division (located in Dearborn, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Ava Ramey, former Trustee of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 21 (located in Bowie, Md.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $379,000 from the union. Ramey wrote more than $80,000 in union checks to herself and cash, purchased more than $70,000 in merchandise on the union’s debit card, withdrew more than $60,000 from union accounts at ATM machines, withdrew in person or transferred to her personal account more than $100,000 of union funds, and wrote more than $60,000 in union checks to her family members. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On June 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Rachel Lanham, former secretary for the Machinists District Lodge 34 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. On June 5, 2012, an information was filed charging Lanham with embezzling $104,876. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 11, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Jonathan S. Deutsch, former Trustee of the West Virginia Heavy and Highway Construction Industry Fund (located in Charleston, W.Va.), pled guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, specifically for making a false statement to a financial institution to conceal a fraudulent $120,000 loan. Deutsch was then sentenced to two years in prison, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $118,429.88 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On June 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Diana Frey, former President of the Cincinnati Organized and Dedicated Employees (CODE), located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was sentenced to 51 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $758,056 and a $100 assessment. On September 21, 2011, Frey pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On June 7, 2012, in the Carroll County Court, Ohio, Jayne Dixon, former President of Workers United Local 17-T (located in Carrollton, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of theft. Dixon was then sentenced to 15 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $2,000. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 5, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, a criminal information was filed charging Ava Ramey, former Trustee of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 21 (located in Bowie, Md.), with one count of embezzling $379,000 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On June 5, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 (located in Beaver, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling in excess of $10,000 of the monies, funds, property and assets of a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On June 5, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging , former secretary for the Machinists District Lodge 34 (located in Columbus, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $104,876. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), was sentenced to one week of confinement and three years of supervised release, the first eight months of which include home confinement with monitoring. In addition, Kozusko was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $12,613.20 and a $6,000 fine. On March 21, 2012, Kozusko pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 1, 2012, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Cleveland, Ohio, Tony Cummings, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 735 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was indicted on one count of theft in the amount of $6,451 and 10 counts of forgery. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On May 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, David M. Ing, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $83,293.19, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of structuring cash transactions to evade reporting requirement, in violation of 31 U.S.C. 5324(a)(3). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office and the Internal Revenue Service.
On May 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Kenneth Aurecchia, former Vice President of Plumbers International and former business manager for Plumbers Local 51 (located in East Providence, R.I.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement (including electronic monitoring), three years of probation, 150 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a fine of $40,000. Aurecchia paid restitution totaling $107,515 prior to sentencing. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Division.
On May 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Stennett Bernard, former President of Steelworkers Local 421-04 (located in Brockton, Mass.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, and one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On May 31, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Stephen Arena, former President of Novelty Workers Local 148 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with embezzlement in the amount of $193,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On May 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, William Adrian, former business manager for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 101 (located in Belleville, Ill.), pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and theft from an employee pension or welfare plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,321.25. Stegner was charged on May 16, 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On May 29, 2012, in the Circuit Court for Fauquier County, Virginia, Daniel Kramer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fire Fighters Local 45 (located in Newport News, Va.), was charged in an indictment with one count of grand larceny, in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-95. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 23, 2012, in the Adams County Wisconsin Circuit Court, Randy G. Paulson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sub-Lodge 1125 (located in Adams, Wis.), was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft in an amount less than $2,500, in violation of Wisconsin Statute 943.20(1)(b)&3(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On May 22, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Carole Reeves, former office manager for Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 23 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was sentenced to three years of probation and was fined $6,000 after pleading guilty to a single count of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) for knowingly and willfully embezzling labor union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On May 21, 2012, in the Circuit Court for the County of Henrico, Virginia, Timothy Shell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 561 (located in Richmond, Va.), was charged in an indictment with one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-111. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Thomas Coffey, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 912 (located in Lexington, Ky.), pled guilty to one count of making false entries in unions records between 2005 and 2008, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Coffey was then sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $7,358.21 and pay a $25 assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On May 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, a criminal complaint was filed charging Joseph Palumbo, former President of Firefighters Local 100 (located in Newport, R.I.), with embezzlement and fraudulent conversion in the amount of $1,541.91, in violation of Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-3. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On May 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Mark Morgan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 2584 (formerly located in Fremont, Ind.), was charged in a two-count indictment for embezzling union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, an information was filed charging Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), with one count of embezzling union funds totaling more than $41,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information alleges that Stegner embezzled $41,861 in union money by failing to deposit funds and stealing cash she received from union members for dues and other items. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On May 15, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Carol Wethington, former Secretary-Treasurer of Plant Protection Local 103 (located in Dearborn, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. Wethington previously paid restitution. On February 2, 2012, Wethington pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with making false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 14, 2012, in the Pennington County South Dakota District Court, William Bilger, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3365 (located in Rapid City, S.D.), pled guilty to petty theft greater than $400 and less than $1,000. Bilger was subsequently sentenced on the same date to pay restitution in the amount of $2,137 within one year, to obey all laws, and to pay grand jury costs. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On May 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, James J. Kearney Jr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Iron Workers Local 45 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release. In addition, Kearney was ordered to make full restitution (the amount to be determined at a later date) and pay a $100 special assessment. On November 11, 2011, Kearney pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling union funds in the amount of $561,365. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On May 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Northern Division), Renita Dompier, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 283 (located in Baraga, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,725.99, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jeff Agee, former business representative for Machinists Local Lodge 10 (located in Richmond, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,181.62, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On May 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Thomas M. Chavez, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 12-659 (located in Questa, N.M.), was sentenced to three years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $16,965.54 and a $100 special assessment. On December 2, 2011, Chavez pled guilty to one count of embezzling $16,965.54 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On May 7, 2012, in the St. Louis County District Court of Minnesota, James Michael Hill, former Treasurer of Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (GCC-IBT) Local 76-C (located in Duluth, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of felony theft by swindle of over $5,000. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On May 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $47,096. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On May 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Lisa Barnes, former bookkeeper for Plasterers & Cement Masons (OPCM) Local 514 (located in Madison Heights, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with falsification of union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Ernest Milewski, former President of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), Northeast District Council (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $257,590.26 restitution and a $200 special assessment. Milewski is required to surrender to prison officials on May 21, 2012. On August 9, 2011, Milewski pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of embezzling assets of a health care benefit program, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Victor Rovani III, former business representative for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 454 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pled guilty to three counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,322. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On April 27, 2012, in the Common Pleas Court of Ross County (Ohio), Jill Ragland, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) Chapter 782 (located in Portsmouth, Ohio), was charged in an indictment with one count of theft in the amount of $1,385, a fifth degree felony. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Jeff Agee, former business representative of Machinists Lodge 10 (located in Richmond, Va.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,181.62, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, an indictment was returned charging Salvador Camey, former employee of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (located in Washington, D.C.), with 16 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization totaling $7,258.92, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General in Los Angeles, Calif.
On April 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Paul Morales, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1477 (located in Taylor, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of willfully failing to maintain union records of unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $22,829.39, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). On February 29, 2012, an information was filed charging Morales with the same crime. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On April 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert Lauermann, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 682 (located in Whiting, Ind.), pled guilty to a one-count information for filing false reports, in violation of 45 U.S.C. 231(l). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On April 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Thomas Coffey, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 912 (located in Lexington, Ky.), was charged in a one-count information for making false entries in the union records during the years 2005 through 2008, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 17, 2012, in the Harris County, Texas District Court, Kemberly Fields, former President of Security Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA), Local 300 (located at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Tex.), was charged and arrested for embezzling approximately $23,000 in union funds, in violation of Texas Statute 32.45 – Misapplication of Fiduciary Property. The charge and arrest follow an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On April 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Aurora Rios, former cashier for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), pled guilty to 21 counts of embezzlement and three counts of falsifying union records. The guilty plea stems from a $320,000 embezzlement from the local involving Rios and two other former employees of the local, each of whom were charged and tried separately. On April 28, 2010, Rios was charged with embezzling approximately $167,500. Rios is scheduled to be sentenced in August 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On April 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Vicki Guynn, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1612 (located in Springfield, Mo.), was sentenced to four months of home confinement and three years of probation. On December 15, 2011, Guynn pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, in connection with an embezzlement of $16,081. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Northern Division, Graven Townsend, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-462 (located in Prattville, Ala.), was sentenced to serve five years of probation and five months at Dismas Charities. Townsend was also ordered to pay additional restitution owed in the amount of $80,970.76 and a fine of $100. On December 21, 2011, Townsend pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement in the amount of $98,970.76, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On April 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Michael Martin, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3093 (located in Norwalk, Conn.), was sentenced to five years of probation, the first six months of which Martin must spend in home confinement with electronic monitoring. Martin was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $20,201. Martin previously pled guilty to one count of Theft by Mail by an Employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On April 9, 2012, in the Crawford County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Richard Clemons, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer for Steelworkers Local 332 (located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio), was indicted on one count of theft in an amount exceeding $5,000 but less than $100,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On April 6, 2012, in the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia, Joseph Meizlik, former President of Security, Police, Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 454 (located in Fort Lee, Va.), was sentenced to four years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $9,122.44 and a $100 special assessment. On January 6, 2012, Meizlik pled guilty to one count of embezzling $9,122.44 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Stacy Johnson, former cashier for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), was found guilty by a jury of 12 counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and three counts of falsifying records union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The trial stemmed from a $320,000 embezzlement from the local involving Johnson and two other former local employees, each of whom are being tried separately. On April 28, 2010, Johnson was charged with embezzling approximately $45,500. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced in August 2012. The verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On March 29, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Tammy Greene, former Financial Secretary for the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83793 (located in Selma, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement totaling $31,076.07, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On March 29, 2012, in the Morgan County Circuit Superior Court (Indiana), Cynthia Collier, former Secretary-Treasurer of Carpenters Local 2177 (formerly located in Scottsburg, Ind.), was sentenced 60 days of home detention and two years of probation. Collier made full restitution in the amount of $2,053 at sentencing. On February 23, 2012, Collier pled guilty to theft in the amount of $2,053, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On March 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District, John Gianonne, former Vice President of Teamsters Local 706 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to three months of home confinement, one year of probation, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Gianonne previously paid restitution. On December 7, 2011, Gianonne pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds totaling $11,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On March 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $12,613.20. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On March 15, 2012, in the Justice Court, Las Vegas Township, Clark County Nevada, Rose Marie Sotak, former President/Business Agent and acting Financial Secretary Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1758 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), was charged with one count of felony theft. The complaint includes a warrant for Sotak’s arrest with a cash and surety bail of $10,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On March 15, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Jackson, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 4065 (located in Plano, Tex.), was found guilty by a jury of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,246.95. On July 13, 2011, Jackson was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On March 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan (Northern Division), Renita Dompier, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 283 (located in Baraga, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $8,725.99, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of falsification of union financial reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b); and one count of falsification of union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Gloria Porter, former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 2049 and former Secretary-Treasurer of the NFFE IAM Army Materiel Command (AMC) District Council (both located in Las Cruces, N.M.), was sentenced to 70 months imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Porter also was ordered to pay $143,457.50 in restitution and a $300 special assessment. On June 30, 2011, after a three-day trial, a federal jury convicted Porter on all 107 counts of an indictment charging her with 105 counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, and one count of aggravated identity theft. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $12,613.20. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Frank Rysz, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1124 (located in New Stanton, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $12,514.91 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Laura Dixon, former office secretary for the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters (located in Cleveland, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. On February 23, 2012, an information was filed charging Dixon with embezzling between $70,000 and $170,218. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 12, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Kevin Threat, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-84 (located in Alexandria, Va.), pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, for stealing $15,505 from the union. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pamela S. Hinzman, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1580 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $26,260.68. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 6, 2012, in the Kandiyohi County, Minnesota District Court, Cherity Perez, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 631 (located in Willmar, Minn.), was sentenced to 15 days of confinement, two years of probation, and ordered to write a letter of apology to Local 631. Perez was also ordered to pay additional restitution of $95.80, a $500 fine, and $90 in court fees. She previously made restitution of $1,144. On February 6, 2012, Perez pled guilty to theft, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(1). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On March 6, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kevin McKnight, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1390 (located in Laurence Harbor, N.J.), was sentenced to four months of community confinement, four months of home confinement, and three years of probation. In addition, McKnight was ordered to pay $54,603.52 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. McKnight had previously paid approximately $16,000 in restitution. In November 2011, McKnight pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling approximately $68,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On March 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, a criminal information was filed charging Kevin Threat, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-84 (located in Alexandria, Va.), with one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States in excess of $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 29, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, an information was filed against Paul Morales, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1477 (located in Taylor, Mich.), charging him with one count of willfully failing to maintain union records for unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $22,829.39. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On February 28, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Mary Lynn Otten, former Secretary-Treasurer of Musicians Local 26 (located in Peoria, Ill.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $5,032.50 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On November 15, 2011, Otten pled guilty to filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On February 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Francis Mazzella, employer for members of Painters Local 8A-28A (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), waived indictment and pled guilty to a two-count information charging Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 371. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Poutoa Tuiolemotu, former Financial Secretary for Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers (GMP) Local 50 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to one year of probation, 90 days of home confinement, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $17,250. Tuiolemotu was charged with one count of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) for knowingly and willfully embezzling labor union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On February 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Zeffrey Tibbs, spouse of Marqueeta Tibbs, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 437 (located in Portsmouth, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union finds in the amount of $84,903, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Zeffrey Tibbs was indicted on September 21, 2011. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 24, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Freda Hensley, former President of Steelworkers Local 8-14505 (located in West Logan, W.Va.), was sentenced to five years of probation with the first six months served in home confinement. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $36,489.68 at $100 a month. On October 17, 2011, Hensley pled 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 Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jose L. Caraballo-Figueroa, former President of Sindicato Obreros Unidos del Sur (located in Salinas, P.R.), was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment and one year of supervised release. On March 16, 2011, Figueroa pled 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 Atlanta District Office.
On February 23, 2012, in the State of Texas, El Paso County, William Dempsey, President of Fire Fighters Local 294 (located in Las Cruces, N.M.), was indicted for theft of property of more than $1,500 but less than $20,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS Denver District Office.
On February 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, an information was filed charging Laura Dixon, former office secretary for the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters (located in Cleveland, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $170,216, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 23, 2012, in the Morgan County Circuit Superior Court of Indiana, Cynthia Collier, former Secretary-Treasurer of Carpenters Local 2177 (formerly located in Scottsburg, Ind.), pled guilty to theft in the amount of $2,053, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2(a). Collier was previously charged with theft on August 5, 2011. Collier’s sentencing is scheduled for March 29, 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Roody Lespinasse, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 04-421 (located in Brockton, Mass.), pled guilty to one count of willfully failing to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). On February 21, 2012, an information was filed charging Lespinasse with the same crime. Lespinasse agreed to make restitution in the amount of $20,818. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On February 21, 2012, in the Green Lake County Wisconsin Circuit Court, Nancy Kumbier, former President and Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1144 (located in Berlin, Wis.), was sentenced to 12 months of probation and was ordered to pay $3,505 in restitution. On the same date, Kumbier entered an Alford plea for one count of theft in a business setting of between $2,500 and $5,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On February 21, 2012, in the New York State Court for New York County, Neil Cardoso, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1241 (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), was indicted with a charge of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, P.L. 155.40 (1) for allegedly using an ATM card to make unauthorized withdrawals of approximately $75,000 in cash from the union’s account. Cardoso was arrested on February 28, 2012 by investigators from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and arraigned on March 2, 2012. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 20, 2012, in the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division for the State of North Carolina, County of Durham, Terry L. Wagner, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2923 (located in Durham, N.C.), was indicted for embezzlement totaling between $7,312 and $7,845. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On February 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Brandon Borders, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 997 (located in Camp Hill, Pa.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement followed by 24 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 and a $100 special assessment. Borders had already paid restitution of $12,551.16. On September 23, 2011, Borders pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On February 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Steven Boyles, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 189 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was sentenced to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $100 assessment and a $2,500 fine. On September 7, 2011, Boyles pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, a Class C Felony. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert L. Carr, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer and Business Manager of Plumbers Local 228 (located in Yuba City, Calif.), and his wife Theresa A. Carr, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to misappropriate labor union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, and two counts of misappropriation of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Robert and Theresa Carr agreed to pay restitution totaling $120,000 and asked the court for a 30-month and 3-month sentence, respectively. The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
On February 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John McNamee, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of Stage & Picture Operators Local 829 (located in New York, N.Y.), was arrested following the filing of a criminal indictment for embezzling approximately $240,000 in union funds and filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b). From January 2004 through February 2011, McNamee is alleged to have used the union’s corporate credit cards to make personal charges. The arrest and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 15, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Conley, former President and Vice President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1738 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), was charged in a two-count indictment for embezzling $15,432.26 in union funds and falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Guy Masocco, former President of Steelworkers Local 897 (located in Cheektowaga, N.Y.), was sentenced to 10 months of home confinement, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay $31,701 in restitution. On August 29, 2011, Masocco pled guilty to embezzling from his union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On February 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Claude Huff, former Business Manager/President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1385 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in an amount exceeding $100,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Jose M. Rivera, former President and Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 710 (located in Newark, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay the remaining balance of restitution. The sentencing follows a guilty plea by Rivera regarding one count of accepting an illegal loan as an officer from a union over $14,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 7, 2012, in the Navajo County Superior Court, Christina Carr, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Worker Union (APWU) Local 7008 (located in Show Low, Ariz.), was indicted on one count of theft or embezzlement of an amount greater than $4,000, a Class 3 Felony, in violation of ARS §§ 13-1802(A)(2), 13-1801, 13-701, 13-702, and 13-801. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.
On February 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Curtis Reed, a former staff representative of the Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $3,694.32 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 7, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Robert Misuraca, a former staff representative of the Steelworkers, AFL-CIO (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $17,566.21 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 6, 2012, in the Polk County, Minnesota Circuit Court, Michelle Jean Nelson, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7272 (located in Erskine, Minn.), was sentenced to 45 days of confinement, 10 years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $4,634.22, a $100 fine, and $160 in special assessments and fees. On November 4, 2011, Nelson pled guilty to theft by false representation. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office and the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On February 6, 2012, in the Kandiyohi County, Minnesota District Court, Cherity Perez, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 631 (located in Willmar, Minn.), pled guilty to theft, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(1). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On February 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Carol Wethington, former Secretary-Treasurer of Plant Protection Local 103 (located in Dearborn, Mich.), pled guilty to making false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Wethington was charged with the same offense in a one-count information on September 20, 2011. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On February 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Kelly Dull, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2904 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $32,118.66, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On January 26, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Joseph Barnes, former National Director for the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was indicted on four counts of embezzlement from a labor organization in the amount of $4,380, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office with assistance from the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On January 26, 2012, in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Helen Stupka, former office secretary for the Ohio State Plumbers Association (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to 11 months of confinement (suspended), four years of community control, and was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $13,372.91. On December 14, 2011, Stupka pled guilty to one count of theft. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On January 26, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Vance Valentine , former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 524 (located in Willis, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of filing false reports with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On January 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Tommy Harris, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1230 (located in Griffin, Ga.), was sentenced to four years of probation, 11 months of electronically monitored home confinement, 200 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay $24,646.82 in restitution (of which $4,646.82 was outstanding) and a $100 special assessment. On November 17, 2011, Harris pled guilty to one count of embezzlement totaling $24,646.82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On January 25, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Marqueeta Tibbs, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 437 (located in Portsmouth, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds in the amount of $84,903, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Tibbs was indicted on September 21, 2011. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 24, 2012, in the United States District Court of Rhode Island, Kenneth Aurecchia, former Regional Vice President of the Plumbers International Union and former business manager for Plumbers Local 51 (located in East Providence, R.I.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $107,515 and one count of filing a false tax return in the amount of $17,886. The guilty plea follows a change of plea hearing that was filed on December 1, 2011. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Treasury’s Providence Office.
On January 23, 2012, in the Fountain County Indiana Circuit Court, Brianna Gates, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 7-975 (located in Fairmount, Ill.), pled guilty to two counts of Theft, Class D Felonies. Gates was then sentenced to three years of probation, 50 hours of community service for each year of her sentence, and was ordered to pay the remaining balance of $1,729 toward the total restitution amount of $3,975. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On January 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Sheila Valentine, spouse of Vance Valentine, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 524 (located in Willis, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On January 23, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Tracy Ford, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 1528 (located in Modesto, Calif.), was sentenced to five years of probation which includes 10 months of home detention with electronic monitoring (with the exception of work). Ford was ordered to pay $174,100 in restitution and a $125 special assessment. On September 2, 2011, Ford pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and one count of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On January 20, 2012, in the State of Louisiana, 26th Judicial District, Parish of Bossier, John Wayne Walker, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2000 (located in Shreveport, La.), was sentenced for felony theft. Walker’s sentence was deferred pursuant to Article 893 for five years. He has also been placed on active probation for five years with the following special conditions: (1) comply with Article 893; (2) make restitution of $16,057.75 over probation period; (3) pay $75 per month for supervision fees; and (4) pay a fine of $500 and cost over probation. On January 20, 2012, Walker pled guilty to one count of felony theft of $16,057.75 in union funds, in violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On January 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Ronald W. Witt, former business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 450 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On January 19, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joseph Pavone, former President of Laborers Local 560 (located in Waltham, Mass.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $6,466 in restitution and a $1,000 fine. On October 19, 2011, Pavone pled guilty to three counts of receipt of an unlawful labor payment, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Carole Reeves, former office manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local 23 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $19,000 in labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On January 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Linda Favela, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 6703 (located in Riverside, Calif.), was charged with five counts of embezzlement totaling $12,510, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On January 18, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Alyson Harmon, former office assistant and bookkeeper for the now defunct Carpenters Local Union 281 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $29,876.57 in restitution. On September 23, 2011, Harmon pled guilty to embezzling $20,481.57 in cash receipts from Local 281. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On January 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennine Prince, former bookkeeper/office secretary for Iron Workers Local 3 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $494,598.89 and a $100 special assessment. Prince was permitted to voluntarily surrender to begin her prison sentence, but not later than March 30, 2012. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On January 11, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Michael Martin, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3093 (located in Norwalk, Conn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of mail by an employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the amount of $11,320.61, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1709. In addition, Martin admitted to embezzling $8,880.78 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office and the USPS’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Victor Rovani III, former business representative of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 454 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was indicted and an arrest warrant issued for three counts of embezzlement totaling $8,322, one count of bank fraud, and two counts of deprivation of a union member’s rights pertaining to internal union matters. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On January 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Natasha J. Bever, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4202 (located in Rantoul, Ill.), was indicted on one count of issuing unauthorized payroll checks to herself in the amount of approximately $117,378, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On January 9, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Derrick George, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE), IBT, Sub-Lodge 76 (located in Leon, W.Va.), was sentenced to three years of probation, including eight months of home confinement, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,932.07. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 6, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Joseph Meizlik, former President of Security, Police, Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 454 (located in Fort Lee, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $9,122.44 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On January 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Toni Lancaster, former office manager for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Millwrights & Machine Erectors Local 711 (located in Portland, Ore.), was sentenced to five months of home confinement, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution and a $100 special assessment. On September 19, 2011, Lancaster pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $68,403, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On January 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pamela S. Hinzman, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union Local 1580 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $26,260.68 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
Last Updated: 3-30-17