Former Employee of Florida Ironworkers Union Sentenced for Embezzling From Welfare Plan

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Atlanta, Georgia - The former secretary of the Orlando-based apprenticeship and training fund of Ironworkers Union Local 808 was ordered to repay $29,547.09 she took from the fund and sentenced to 90 days of home confinement and five years of probation. The criminal sentence was based on an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).

“Theft of employee benefits assets jeopardizes the lives of workers and their families,” said Howard Marsh, director of the department’s Atlanta EBSA regional office. “These workers covered by the training fund deserve to have their money used for the intended purpose.”

Donna Cordero was sentenced in federal district court in Orlando after pleading guilty to one count of embezzling $30,359 in assets from the fund. She was indicted in September 2003, for embezzling the assets of an employee benefit plan governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Cordero allegedly carried out the criminal act by issuing herself additional paychecks to which she was not entitled that were drawn on the fund’s account.

The sentence was entered on March 15, 2004, in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. The Atlanta regional office of EBSA investigated the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida prosecuted the case.

The apprenticeship fund covered 151 participants under a collective bargaining agreement with sponsoring employers located throughout central Florida.

EBSA obtained more than $1.4 billion in record monetary results in 2003 through strong enforcement of the law that protects pension, 401(k) and health benefits. Employers and workers can reach the Dallas regional office at 214.767.6831 or through EBSA’s toll-free number, 1.866.444.EBSA (3272), for help with problems relating to private-sector retirement and health plans.

(U.S. v. Cordero)
Criminal No. 03-CR-202ALL

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Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.