MISSOURI WELFARE PLAN EMPLOYEE INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLING FUND ASSETS

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

The director of the health and welfare fund of the International Leather Goods, Plastics, Novelty and Service Workers’ Union in St. Louis, Mo., was indicted on three counts of embezzling approximately $4,500 from the fund.

The fund provides health, life insurance, dental, vision and temporary- and long-term disability benefits to 3,000 union members under collective bargaining agreements with companies engaged in the manufacture and distribution of novelty items, toys and leather products.

According to the indictment, Earl Shell allegedly converted the welfare benefit funds to his own use through three separate transactions totalling about $4,500. If convicted on all counts, Shell faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison, $750,000 in fines or both.

The indictment was handed down on Jan. 13 by a federal grand jury in St. Louis. The case was jointly investigated by the Department of Labor’s St. Louis District Offices of Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration and Labor-Management Standards. This case is being prosecuted by the U. S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis.

(U. S. v. Shell)
Criminal No. 4:99CR00025 JCH

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Contact Name: Norma J. Conrad
816.426.5491
Patrick A. Hand
816.426.5490
Gloria Della
202.219.8921