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 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David M. Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. On November 23, 2009, Matthis was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On December 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, an information was filed charging Brenda Bywater, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 100 (located in Pontiac, Mich.), with one count of making false entries in union records. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On December 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joyce Marsalis, former Treasurer of the Illinois Nurses Association, University of Chicago Local (located in Chicago, Ill.) was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service, and ordered to pay a remaining balance of restitution in the amount of $2356 and a special assessment of $25. On October 9, 2009, Marsalis pled guilty to one count of creating false entries in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On December 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Deidra Lucas, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 100 (located in Pontiac, Mich.) was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $39,403.72. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On December 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $200,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On December 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicholas Maddalone and Paul Maddalone, former Executive Board Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents school bus drivers in New York City), were sentenced to ten months incarceration, two years supervised release, and ordered to make restitution, respectively, in the amount of $45,000 and $31,000. The Maddalones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for their participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
On December 11, 2009, in the Criminal District Court Number 6, Dallas County, Texas, Bobby Earl Williams, former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1635 (formerly located in Dallas, Texas), pled guilty to check forgery. Williams was sentenced to twelve months deferred probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75, a fine of $1,000, and court costs of $194.00. In lieu of community service hours, Williams was also ordered to make a $175 monetary donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of receipt of improper loans from a labor organization. Fonti was then sentenced to two years supervised probation and fined $1,000. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Snelling, former Treasurer of Communication Workers Local 34014 (located in Gary, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,100. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On December 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Thomas Jon Witham, former Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa) was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. On September 2, 2009, Witham pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On December 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Roger Wuest, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security Police and Fire Professionals (SPFPA) (located in San Bernardino, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation. On September 24, 2009, Wuest pled guilty to a charge of concealment or destruction of union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.
On December 7, 2009, in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Kentucky, Mark Owens, former Financial Secretary of Machinists Local Lodge 366W (located in Lebanon, Ky.), was charged with theft by unlawful taking in the amount of $200.00. Owens then pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to sixty days probated for twenty-four months on the condition that he make restitution of $200.00 and pay $153.00 in fines and court costs by February 3, 2010. The charge, plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On December 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Ira Sokol, a former school bus inspector for the New York City Department of Education, was sentenced to two years probation including six months home confinement, ordered to pay a fine of $10,000, and make restitution in the amount of $5,000 following a guilty plea to conspiracy to accept bribes in an industry receiving federal funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General and the FBI.
On December 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Christine S. Throckmorton, former office secretary/bookkeeper for the Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 57 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $9,674.95. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On December 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Dale Holifield, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 982C (located in Pearl, Miss.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,468.19. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office
On December 2, 2009, in Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, the following Tiffany Freeman, Tiesha Hamer, Lavina Smith, LaDonna Turner and Britton Russia were charged with forging checks belonging to Musicians Local 1 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio). Freeman was charged with five counts of forgery totaling $2,260; Hamer was charged with one count of forgery totaling for $749; Smith, one count of forgery totaling $2,500; Turner, five counts totaling $15,800 and Russia, twelve counts of forgery totaling $21,309. Russia was also charged with receiving stolen property. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On December 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Dianne Drawdy, former Financial Secretary of Security Police Fire Professionals Local 576 (located in Baxley, Ga.), was sentenced to six months imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $ 18, 818.74. On July 31, 2009, Drawdy pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $17,900. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office.
On November 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Edward Kobe, former General Chairman of United Transportation Union (UTU) General Committee of Adjustment 325 (located in Duluth, Minn.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,200. On November 12, 2009, Kobe was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between 2005 through 2006. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the office of the Inspector General, Railroad retirement Board.
On November 23, 2009, in the United States Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), with one count of embezzlement of union funds between August 2006 and October 2007. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On November 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On November 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former-treasurer of America Postal Workers Union, Local 3434, (Decatur, Ga.), plead guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,023.12. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
On November 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, John A. Mannenga, former Recording Secretary-Treasurer of Railroad Signalmen Local 98 (located in Norwalk, Iowa) was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $14,042 and two counts of filing false reports with the Department of Labor. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), was sentenced to four years probation, 200 hours community service, and ordered to pay $12,904.56 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On July 9, 2009, Olson pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in books and records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On November 17, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Joseph J. Morana, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) SEIU Local 01-86 (located in West Roxbury, Mass.) and NAGE -SEIU Local 01-25 (located in Brockton, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts to the charge of larceny over $250 by a single scheme. Morana was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,696.48 and an assessment of $90 and placed on supervised probation for two years, which may be terminated early when restitution is paid in full. The admission follows and investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Warren Demmin, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Local Lodge 449 (located in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.), was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $681.44. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On November 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers
(CWA) Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), was sentenced to 5 years probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,001.86 and a special assessment of $100. Rhoades was also ordered to perform 25 hours of community service and was prohibited from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On November 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, David Lee Tungett, former organizer for the Kentucky Laborers District Council (located in Lawrenceburg, Ky.), was sentenced to two years probation for one count of destruction of union records. Tungett was also ordered to attend a drug aftercare program, pay a $250 fine and a $25 special assessment. Tungett previously made restitution to the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On November 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Edward Kobe, former General Chairman of United Transportation Union (UTU) General Committee of Adjustment 325 (located in Duluth, Minn.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzlement of union funds during a period between 2005 through 2006. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Railroad Retirement Board’s Office of the Inspector General.
On November 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A. Brown, former President of Federation of Teachers Local 5095 (located in Butte, Mont.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,731.54. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On November 9, 2009, in the 52nd Judicial Circuit Court of Huron County, Michigan, Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), was sentenced to four months in county jail, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay the remaining balance of restitution owed in the amount of $7,000. On September 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On November 5, 2009, in the City and County of Denver District Court, Denver, Colorado, Sherri Pemberton, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1802 (located in Denver, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of theft. Pemberton was immediately sentenced to two-years supervised probation, with judgment being deferred, was ordered to pay restitution of in the amount of $7,958, and was prohibited from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office and the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General.
On November 3, 2009, in the Village of Ilion (New York) Court, Raymond Watson, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 717 (located in Ilion, N.Y.), was charged with grand larceny. Watson is alleged to have made personal charges totaling $1,759 on the union credit card. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the Village of Ilion Police.
On October 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norman Joseph Stefanik, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1450 (located in Watertown, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,013. On May 15, 2009, Stefanik had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On October 29, 2009, in the County Court of Hale County, Texas, Rudy Villa Jr., former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2771 (located in Plainview, Texas), was indicted on felony theft charges. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On October 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Donald Spell, former office employee for Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 12 (formerly located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to embezzling union funds totaling $16,422. On October 9, 2009, Spell had been charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On October 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. On September 17, 2009, Williams was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On October 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release, ordered to pay the remaining amount of restitution owed ($9,991.86) within 30 days of the judgment and pay a $125 special assessment. On June 10, 2009, Woods had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On October 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Darryl D. Becker, former Financial Secretary of the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 558-11 (located in McPherson, Kan.) was fined $500 and placed on probation for one year. Becker had previously made restitution in the amount of $6,500 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On October 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, an information was filed charging Timmy R. Peltier, former Secretary Treasurer of Independent Loomis Security Employees Union (located in Cudahy, Wis.), with making a false statement or representation of a material fact on the union's 2006 and 2007 annual financial reports. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Brian Wheeler, former Treasurer of Painters Local 1468 (located in Brentwood, N.H.), was sentenced to five years probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5, 000, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On July 1, 2009, Wheeler had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Harold C. Ullum, former Vice-President and West Virginia District Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, Ind., West Virginia District (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to six months home detention, five years probation, and payment of a $20,000 fine plus a $100 special assessment. On July 13, 2009, Ullum pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with causing a false statement on an ERISA record. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On October 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Christopher Scott Tidwell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Union Ind, Local 1261 (located in Lineville, Ala.), was sentenced to 60 months probation, including six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $22,264.08 and a $100 special assessment. On June 30, 2009, Tidwell had pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the same amount and one count of forfeiture. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
On October 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Michael Kelly, former Treasurer of Untied Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Lexington, Ohio), was sentenced to one year and a day confinement, three years supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution. On July 30, 2009, Kelly pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On October 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joyce Marsalis, former Treasurer of the University of Chicago local unit of the Illinois Nurses Association (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of willfully making a false entry in union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On October 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Daniel Reynolds, former president of PACE Local 05-1737 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was sentenced to 24 months probation on one count of embezzling union funds and 24 months probation on one count of destruction of union records, to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,130 and a fine of $125. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On October 7, 2009, in Goodhue County (Minnesota) District Court, a felony complaint was filed charging Michelle Adler, former Secretary-Treasurer of Government Security Officers Local 24 (located in Lake City, Minn.), with one count of theft of more than $1,000, but not more than $5,000. The charge follows and investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.
On October 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Teresa Cora Luna, former office manager/bookkeeper of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 504 (located in Anaheim, Calif.), was sentenced to five months in federal prison and five months in a community corrections facility, to be followed by a three year period of supervised release and a 13-year bar from future union officer or employment service following her release. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 assessment. On September 26, 2008, Luna was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount from November 2004 through June 2005. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On October 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Monica Peaslee, former office manager of Teamsters Local 533 (located in Reno, Nev.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $13,156. On July 22, 2009, Peaslee was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount and one count of falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On October 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Ray Horton, former employee of United Steelworkers Local 9443 (located in Robards, Ky.), pled guilty to mail fraud and embezzlement of union funds. On July 8, 2009, Horton was charged with mail fraud and embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $19,924. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On On August 27, September 1, September 3, and September 29, 2009, Six former officials of Teamsters 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.) were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in connection with their roles in rigging the union’s 2004 officer election and its rerun. On August 27, September 1, September 3, 2009 and September 29, 2009 Robert Walston, Richard Lopez, Thaddeus Bania, Cassandra Mosley, David Rodriguez and Mark Jones, former President , Recording-Secretary, Comptroller, Business Agent, Organizer, and Head Organizer of Teamsters Local 743 Walston was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Lopez was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and two years supervised release. Bania was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment and two years supervised release. Mosley was sentenced to one day in prison, six months in home confinement, and 18 months of additional supervised release. Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Jones was sentenced to one year probation. Walston, Bania and Mosley were ordered to pay restitution totaling $900,936. Lopez and Rodriguez were ordered to pay restitution totaling $864,924. All orders for restitution payments are to be paid jointly and severally. The sentencings followed a joint investigation by OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
On September 28, 2009, in the 52nd Judicial Circuit Court of Huron County (Mich.), Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On September 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of Painters Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 7 months of home confinement, and 36 months of supervised release. On June 15, 2009, Lei-Petersen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $86,116. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On September 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (now Local 721) (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pled guilty to two counts of mail fraud in connection with income fraudulently received from the Voter Improvement Program of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, and one count of filing a false tax return related to his failure to report $35,000 fraudulently received from this fund. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Roger Wuest, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security Police and Fire Professionals Union Officer, Ind. (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of willful concealment and destruction of required union records. On September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.
On September 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jack Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 7010 (located in Mansfield, Ohio), was sentenced to two years probation, including six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, ordered to make full restitution, and fined $2,000. On May 1, 2009, Hooks pled guilty to embezzling $15,192 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On September 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Snelling, former Treasurer of Communication Workers Local 34014 (located in Gary, Ind.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $18,100 between February 2004 and September 2008. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On September 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanne R. Brophy, former office manager for Ironworkers Local 379 (located in Lafayette, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. Brophy was immediately sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $100. Brophy had previously paid over $47,172 in restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On September 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3434 located in Decatur, Ga.), was indicted for embezzling union funds, between January 15, 2005 and April 28, 2008, in excess of $15,000. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
On September 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Richard M. Clark, former Secretary Treasurer of Letter Carriers Branch 468 (located in Bowling Green, Ky.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds totaling $18,680 and destruction of union records. Clark was then sentenced to three years probation and six months home confinement, and ordered to pay full restitution, a $2000 fine and a $125 special assessment. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On September 10, 2009, in the Criminal District Court Number 6, Dallas County, Texas, Janice Muriel Williams, wife of Bobby Earl Williams, former president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1635 (formerly located in Dallas, Texas), pled guilty to check forgery. Williams was sentenced to twelve months probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75.00, a fine of $1000, and court costs. On April 23, 2008, Williams was indicted on one count of forgery totaling $1,431. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On September 10, 2009, in Circuit Court for the State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, Robert Bealefeld, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders & Plastics Local 118 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of theft over $500 for stealing $5,686 from the union. Bealefeld was then sentenced to three years probation. Bealefeld
On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Joseph Moon Jr., former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1626, pled guilty to a criminal information for one count of improper loans from a labor organization. Moon obtained in excess of $2,000 from Local 1626 in the form of unapproved loans totaling $14,931. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicholas Maddalone and Paul Maddalone, former Executive Board Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents school bus drivers in New York City), pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. The pleas follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On September 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Don C. Padgett, former secretary treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1304 (located in Greenville, Ill.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $185,042. Full restitution was ordered following release from incarceration. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On September 4, 2009, in the Huron County (Mich.) District Court, a felony complaint was filed charging Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, 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 September 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Thomas Jon Witham, former Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On September 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Lance Hinerman, Steven Boyles, Daniel Cassidy, current President, former Vice President and former Clerk Craft Director, respectively, of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Central Arkansas Area Local 189 (located in North Little Rock, Ark.), were indicted on a combined total of 199 counts of wire fraud. Hinerman was indicted on 65 counts of wire fraud, Boyles was indicted on 61 counts of wire fraud and 1 count of worker's compensation fraud and Cassidy was indicted on 73 counts of wire fraud. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
On September 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $104,713.45 and pay a special court fee of $100. Also, Dallas was prohibited from incurring any additional credit card debts, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service, submit to random drug testing and obtain mental health treatment. On March 25, 2009, Dallas pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office.
On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Terry Hacker, former Secretary-Treasurer of Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 12 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $38,146. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged in an information with three counts of mail fraud and filing a false tax return. Stephens allegedly received $52,000 in consulting payments, issued to himself and three other individuals, from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor's Voter Improvement Program from February 2004 through April 2005, and filed a false 2004 income tax return by not reporting $35,000 in "other income" related to the payments. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS.
On August 26, 2009, in Cambria County (Pennsylvania) Court, Richard J. Vincent, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3951, was sentenced to seven years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $43,694 and court costs of $900. On February 24, 2009, Vincent pled guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
On August 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Linda Tickle, former employee of Machinist Local 56 and Machinists Local 1458 (located in Chattanooga, Tenn.), was indicted on two counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $30,173.27. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, Calif.), pled guilty to making a false statement in a union record. Perez was immediately sentenced to two years probation and 140 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay a $25.00 special assessment. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On August 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven Thomas, former Business Manager for Laborers Local 500 (located in Toledo, Ohio) was sentenced to five years probation with three months of location monitoring and 250 hours of community service. Thomas was also ordered to make outstanding restitution totaling $14,324.84. On May 11, 2009, Thomas pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $28,500 in union funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On August 21, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Union’s New York State Legislative Conference Board and former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transit Union Local 1342 (located in Buffalo, N.Y.), was charged with embezzling $277,548.72 from the two labor organizations between January 2002 and March 2008. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On August 20, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Fortier, former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 970 and former President of Teamsters Joint Council 32 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,556.65, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service. On April 17, 2009, Fortier pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with making false entries in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On August 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York Norma Fanning, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 503 (located in Ogdensburg, N.Y.) was sentenced to one-year probation, 100 hours of community service and fined $1,000. Fanning had previously made restitution in the amount of $6,342.15. On April 15, 2009, Fanning pled guilty to falsifying union records by submitting fraudulent expense claims in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On August 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, David Lee Tungett, former organizer for the Kentucky Laborers District Council (located in Lawrenceburg, Ky.), pled guilty to one count of destruction of union records. On August 10, 2009, Tungett was charged in an information with one count of destruction of union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former administrative assistant and bookkeeper of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1923 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation. Elsezy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,316.58. On June 19, 2009, Elsezy had pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Richard Klemser, former Treasurer of International Association of Machinist (IAM) Local 1041 (located in West Long Branch, N.J.), was sentenced to one year imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $64,000 for embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Christina Geathers, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 357 (located in Georgetown, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $36,865.18. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark.), was sentenced to five years probation, with a special condition of home detention for the first six months, and ordered to pay restitution of $16,228.38 and a special assessment of $100. On June 8, 2009, Brownlee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. Brownlee falsified travel vouchers, per diem, lodging, and lost time claims. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On August 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, James Decker, former Treasurer of Independent Soft Drink Workers Union (formerly located in Burlington, Ky.), was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, two years’ supervised release and an yet to be determined period of probation. Also, in addition to previously paying $5,057, Decker was also ordered to pay an additional $5,684 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On August 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Donna Caltabiano, former President of AFSCME Local 888 (located in Catskill, N.Y.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation and ordered to make restitution of $23,644.76. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On August 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Herman Peoples, former Financial Secretary of Security Police and Fire Professionals, Ind. Local 598 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,690. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On August 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Audrea Ann Jimenez, former secretary/bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 262 (located in San Jose, Calif.), was sentenced to two years probation and 75 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. On May 6, 2009, Jimenez had pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On August 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gary Barner, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 518 (located in Rome, Ga.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in excess of $10,000 between August 4, 2004 and September 13, 2006. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On August 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael R. Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On August 12, 2008, Rhoades was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,001.86 between June 2006 and November 2006. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On August 3, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled, in Warshauer v. Solis, that the Secretary of Labor did not act arbitrarily and capriciously in requiring a union’s designated legal counsel (DLC) to report as an employer on Form LM-10 concerning potential conflict of interest payments to unions or union officials.
On July 31, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Dianne Drawdy, former Financial Secretary of Security Police Fire Professionals Local 576 (located in Baxley, Ga.) pled guilty to embezzling union funds. Drawdy agreed to make restitution in the amount of $17,900. On April 10, 2009, Drawdy was charged with sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $17,900. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office.
On July 31, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Stephen J. Pfeiffer, former Secretary Treasurer of IATSE Local 60 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), was sentenced to thirteen months imprisonment, to run consecutively to the yet to be imposed sentence on state charges, and three years of probation. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,824.30 and a special assessment of $100.00. On May 13, 2009, Pfeiffer pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,051. The sentence follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On July 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Michael Kelly, former Secretary-Treasurer for the United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Crestline, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On July 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Terry Hacker, former Secretary-Treasurer of UNITE-HERE Local 12 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio) was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $38,146. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On July 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, a sealed indictment was opened charging Thomas Jon Witham, former Secretary Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa) with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On July 23, 2009, in the Superior Court for Clark County, Indiana, Joseph E. Clegg, former President of American Postal Workers Local 753 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.) was charged in a one count information of Theft totaling $1,560.The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On July 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donna J. Simpson, former secretary of Steelworkers District 10 (located in North Versailles, Pa.), was sentenced to six months incarceration, six months home detention, two years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $84,065.14. On April 17, 2009, Simpson pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Monica Peaslee, former Office Manager of Teamsters Local 533 (located in Reno, Nev.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $13,156 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On July 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1919 was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057.70 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, an information was filed charging Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, California), with one count of false statements. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office
On July 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Michael Kelly, former Secretary Treasurer for the United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Willard, Ohio) with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On July 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Larry Ramsey, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Representatives and Organizers Union (located in St. Louisville, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, to include six months home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $163,222. On March 12, 2009, Ramsey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On June 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Anne O’Rourke, former office secretary of Roofers Local 37 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to a two-count indictment for embezzling union funds in the amount of $23,057 and falsifying union records. Subsequently, O’Rourke was sentenced to two years probation on each count, ordered to make remaining restitution in the amount of $6,059.45, and pay a special assessment of $125. On August 6, 2008, O’Rourke had been charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $23,057 and falsifying union records. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On June 26, 2009, in the City Court of Geneva, New York, Bradley Steinruck, former President of Steelworkers Local 828 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), was sentenced to seven days imprisonment, five years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. Steinruck previously made restitution in the amount of $1,987. On October 30, 2008, Steinruck had pled guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree for taking union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the New York State Police.
On June 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanne R. Brophy, former office manager of Iron Workers Local 379 (located in Lafayette, Ind.) pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling over $5,000. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On June 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former bookkeeper of AFGE Local 1923 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. An OLMS investigation concluded that Elsezy created and cashed checks totaling $44,316.58, drawn from the union’s bank account for personal use. Elsezy affixed the signature stamps of the President and Treasurer, altered the name of the payees in the union's accounting system, and removed checks from the union's records to conceal the true beneficiary of the funds. On April 7, 2009, Elsezy was indicted on one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and one count of aiding and abetting. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington Distrct Office.
On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Shawn Clark, former Business Agent of Carpenters Local 455 (located in Somerville, N.J.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in excess of $85,000 and conspiracy to improperly spend union funds for his own personal use and the use of others during the approximate period of December 2000 through December 2007. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was charged with, embezzling, stealing and unlawfully converting to her own personal use moneys of a labor organization in the amount of $86,118. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On June 17, 2009, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Rhonda Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 481 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of stealing union funds in the amount of $6,350. Subsequently, Holmes was sentenced to five years in prison, suspended, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,350. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On July 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Hernandez, former Secretary Treasurer and former Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60 (located in San Antonio, Texas), was charged in a one count indictment with embezzling funds from an employee benefit plan. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On June 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Michael Pagano, former Business Agent /Secretary-Treasurer of Roofers, Local 74 (located in West Seneca, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year probation and order to make full restitution of $9,264. In December 2008, Pagano pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On June 11, 2009, in the Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Monica Smalls, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 2209 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $3,790, and required to attend the Montgomery County Theft Counseling Program. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009. On May 14, 2009, she pled guilty to theft of more than $500. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals & Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to improperly receiving loans in excess of $14,500. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On June 9, 2009, in the Brockton, Massachusetts District Court, a criminal complaint was filed charging Joseph Morena, former President of AFGE Locals 25 and 86 (located in Brockton, Mass. and West Roxbury, Mass.), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On June 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. An OLMS investigation concluded that Brownlee falsified vouchers for travel, per diem, lodging and lost time. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On June 8, 2009, George Ortiz, a former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, was sentenced to two and a half years incarceration to be followed by two years of supervised release and ordered to make restitution of $5,000. On February 17, 2009, Ortiz pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The sentence follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On June 8, 2009, in the Oneida (N.Y.) City Court, Gail Shingler, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 53 (located in Oneida, N.Y.), was charged with two counts of grand larceny, in the fourth degree. Shingler was charged with taking union funds in the amount of $2,572. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On June 3, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more but less than $1,000. Drake was immediately sentenced to two years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,050 and fined $160. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On June 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Keith W. Hart, Jr., former Financial Secretary of Bakery Workers (BCTGM) Local 315G (formerly located in Mt. Vernon, Ind.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $13,904.69. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On June 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicholas Maddalone and Paul Maddalone, former Executive Board Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents school bus drivers in New York City), were indicted on charges of extortion, unlawful labor payments, and participation in a conspiracy, for allegedly using their union positions to obtain cash bribes from employers. The indictment also included a forfeiture allegation in the amount of $1,000,000. The indictments follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On May 28, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan J. Elliot, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts to a charge of larceny over $250. Elliott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay assessments and fees of $594. Also, Elliot made restitution in the amount of $24,000. The case was continued without a finding for two years, pending the successful completion of two years supervised probation. The admission follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office and the Massachusetts State Police.
On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Daryl D. Becker, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 558 (located in McPherson, Kan.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Wendy Bentzen, former information/financial manager for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 72 (located in Jefferson City, Mo.), was sentenced to six months home detention and five years of supervision for the charge of bank fraud. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. On September 29, 2008, Bentzen pled guilty to one count of bank fraud.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On May 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Neil Cremin, a former New York City Department of Education (DOE) School Bus Inspector, was sentenced to four months incarceration to be followed by four months of home confinement and ordered to make restitution of $30,000 to the DOE. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On May 18, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of incarceration (suspended), placed on probation for a period of one year, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,759.55 and fined $25. On April 3, 2009, Welch pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norman Joseph Stefanik, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1450 (located in Watertown, N.Y.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On February 25, 2009, Stefanik was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,808.29 between February 2004 and November 2007. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On May 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Carol Bruno, former Treasurer of AFSCME, Civil Service Employees Association Region 4 (located in Albany, N.Y.), was sentenced to ten months of home confinement, three years of probation and ordered to make total restitution in the amount of $40,451.03 for embezzling union funds. Bruno was also ordered to enter into substance abuse counseling and attend credit counseling. On January 7, 2009, Bruno pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On May 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Steve Pfeiffer, former Secretary/Treasurer of IATSE Local 60 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,051. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 13, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), was charged with one count of forgery and one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On May 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeffrey C. Harris, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders and Plastics Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048. On February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Joseph Michael Johnson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Union Lodge 687 (located in Charleston Heights, S.C.), was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, three years supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 fine. Johnson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,653. He had previously made restitution in the amount of $55,866. On January 5, 2009, Johnson had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $102,519. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Audrea Ann Jimenez, former secretary/bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 262 (located in San Jose, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. On February 19, 2009, an information was filed charging Jimenez with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On May 5, 2009, in the Criminal Court for Putnam County, Tennessee, Ronnie L. Scott, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 2409 (located in Cookeville, Tenn.), pled guilty to the charge of Theft Over $1,000. Subsequently, Scott was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville Office.
On May 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Eastern Pennsylvania, Peter Rhein, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3845 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay additional restitution in the amount $28,145.76 and a special assessment of $1,400.00. Rhein had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $14,500.00. On February 3, 2009, Rhein pled guilty to a fourteen count indictment that included six counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $43,600 and eight counts of false statements. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On May 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Angelo Wiggins, former President of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE) Local 408 (located in Mobile, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,269.85. On February 3, 2009, Wiggins pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On May 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Christopher Scott Tidwell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Union Independent Local 1261 (located in Lineville, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $22,264.08 and one count of forfeiture. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
On May 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jack Hooks, former Treasurer of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 7010 (located in Mansfield, Ohio), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $15,192. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On May 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Thaddeus Bania, Richard Lopez and David Rodriguez, former comptroller, Secretary Treasurer and Recording Secretary, and organizer, respectively, of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), were convicted on numerous counts arising from multiple schemes involving the local’s voided October 2004 regular election of officers and a rerun election that was held in December 2004. Bania was found guilty on four counts of mail fraud and six counts of theft of union property. Lopez was found guilty on two substantive counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of union property. Rodriguez was convicted on two counts of mail fraud and three counts of theft of union property. The convictions follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. Brown, former Business Manager of Plumbers Local 237 (formerly located in Texarkana, Texas), was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $100 mandatory special assessment and remaining restitution in the amount of $4,942. On April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Dallas District Office, EBSA Dallas District Office, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joyce Marsalis, former Treasurer of the Illinois Nurses Association, University of Chicago Local (located in Chicago, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,717 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Christine S. Throckmorton, former office secretary/bookkeeper for Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees Local 57 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,674.95. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On April 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donna J. Simpson, former secretary for the Steelworkers District 10 office (located in North Versailles, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $87,823.18. On August 26, 2008, Simpson was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On April 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Fortier, former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 970 and former President of Teamsters Joint Council 32 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with making false entries in union records related to an embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $8,202.61. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On April 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norma Fanning, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 503 (located in Ogdensburg, N.Y.) pled guilty to falsifying union records by submitting $6,342.15 in fraudulent expense claims. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On April 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On April 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Dianne Drawdy, former Financial Secretary of Security Police Fire Professionals Local 576 (located in Baxley, Ga.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $17,900. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office.
On April 10, 2009, in the Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Monica Smalls, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 2209 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was charged with theft of $500 or more. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Carl W. White, former Treasurer of IATSE Local 251 (located in Madison, Wis.), was sentenced to twelve months and one day imprisonment plus three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $96,088 and a $100 criminal assessment penalty. On January 29, 2009, White pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,963.31. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On April 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert L. Carr, Business Manager of Plumbers Local 228 (located in Yuba City, Calif.), and his wife Theresa A. Carr, were charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and the embezzlement of over $45,000 in union funds, from at least January 2000 through March 2007. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former administrative assistant and bookkeeper of AFGE Local 1923, was indicted on one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and one count of aiding and abetting. An OLMS investigation concluded that Elsezy created and cashed checks, drawn from the union’s bank account, for personal use, affixed the signature stamps of the President and Treasurer, altered the name of the payees in the union's accounting system, and removed checks from the union's records to conceal the true beneficiary of the funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Constantine Vafias, a contractor, was sentenced to three years probation, 300 hours of community service, forfeiture of $100,000, and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. An investigation concluded that Vafias was involved in a no-show job scheme associated with the 2 Broadway Project and Operating Engineers Local 14 (located in New York City, N.Y.). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI.
On April 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Jeffrey Baker, former co-chairman of the Picket Committee for Machinists Local Lodge 1943 (located in Middletown, Ohio), was sentenced to 180 days home confinement, two years probation, and ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and a $25 special assessment. On January 14, 2009, Baker pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record and made restitution in the amount of $16,050. An OLMS investigation concluded that Baker misappropriated approximately 107 strike pay checks and forged members’ signatures on the union’s check register for 101 checks. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 3, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. On March 4, 2009, Welch was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $1,000 and $20,000. The plea and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On April 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Richard M. Clark, former Secretary Treasurer of Letter Carriers Branch 468 (located in Bowling Green, Ky.), was charged with embezzling $18,680 in union funds and concealing and destroying union records. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 3, 2009, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Fernando Acevedo, former President for the Transit Employees Independent Union (located in Bedford, Ohio), was sentenced to two years community control, 50 hours of community service, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $7,300. On March 6, 2009, Acevedo pled guilty to attempted theft. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On April 2, 2009, in the Hennepin County District Court of Minnesota, William Thomas Brown, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 886 (located in New Hope, Minn.), was convicted of one felony count of theft over $1,000 associated with the theft of union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. Brown was then sentenced to three years probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring and ordered to make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. Brown was alleged to have taken union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On April 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Oliver Kupau III, former lead field representative of Laborers Local 368 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was denied his request for an exemption from the LMRDA Section 504 prohibition against persons convicted of certain crimes holding union office or employment. In November 2002, Kupau was convicted of money laundering. On June 9, 2008, the Department of Labor informed Kupau of his prohibition from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. The case follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office.
On April 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rosa Miriam Della Porta, former bookkeeper of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was found guilty of embezzling union funds. On August 8, 2008, Della Porta was indicted on one count of embezzling approximately $108,000 in union funds. The verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On April 1, 2009, in the Criminal Court of the City of Syracuse, New York, Frederick Joseph McManus, Financial Secretary of Asbestos Workers Local 30 (Syracuse, N.Y.), was charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records associated with his actions as a union officer. The charges follow an investigation by the Buffalo District Office and the City of Syracuse Police.
On April 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Thomas James Martin, former Business Manager of Plumbers Local 15 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was denied his request for an exemption from the LMRDA Section 504 prohibition against persons convicted of certain crimes holding union office. On April 1, 2003, Martin was convicted of mail fraud and theft from a labor organization. On May 2, 2003, the Department of Labor informed Martin of his prohibition from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. The case follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On March 31, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Michael St. John, former Secretary Treasurer of Glass Molders Local 30 (located in Festus, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation, which included six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $24,085.56 for the charge of embezzlement of union funds. On October 23, 2008, St. John was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $24,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the St. Louis District Office.
On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Steven Snyder, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 5724 (located in Clarington, Ohio), was sentenced to five months incarceration after pleading guilty to embezzling $78,893.47 in union strike fund benefits. Also, Snyder was sentenced to an additional five months home confinement with electronic monitoring as part of three years supervised release.The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the FBI.
On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary Treasurer for the APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution. On November 17, 2008, Curtis pled guilty to embezzling $18,283 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On March 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Glen Gard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local 2460 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $90,500.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office.
On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Lyndon Denney, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 2-1019 (located in Otsego, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $23,627.32 and pay a $100 special assessment.On November 24, 2008, Denney pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $105,000.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Donna Caltabiano, former President of AFSCME Local 888 (located in Catskill, N.Y.), pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass.), was charged with one count of larceny over $250, relating to the taking of union funds in the amount of $24,795.The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office and the Massachusetts State Police.
On March 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert Walston, former President of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft from a labor organization and one count of embezzlement of property and other assets of a labor organization in connection with his role in rigging the 2004 elections of union officers. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
On March 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, James A. Decker, former Treasurer of Independent Soft Drink Workers Union (formerly located in Burlington, Ky.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On March 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Don C. Padgett, former secretary treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1304 (located in Greenville, Ill.), was indicted for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $186,997. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On March 12, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Larry Ramsey, former secretary-treasurer of the Representatives and Organizers Union (located in St. Louisville, Ohio), pled guilty to embezzling $163,222 in union funds. On February 17, 2009, Ramsey was charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. (Lead Investigator Andrea Welhouse)
On March 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Charles Bohanon, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 1 (located in Petersburg, Mich.), was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,074.23 and a $100 special assessment.On November 20, 2008, Bohanon pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On March 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Cassandra Mosley, former Business Agent of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and theft from a labor organization and one count of embezzlement from a labor organization.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
On March 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Glen Gard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local 2460 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), was arrested on an outstanding warrant issued on November 18, 2008, after being indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $90,500. The arrest follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office.
On March 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth L. Holman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 665 (located in Ishpeming, Mich.), was sentenced to pay restitution in the amount of $2,798.64 and a $25 special assessment.On February 12, 2009, Holman pled guilty to one count of making a false statement or representation of material fact on an annual financial report filed by Local 665.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On February 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Mary Schaeuble, Chair of the Insurance Committee of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and to make restitution in the amount of $4,000.On November 25, 2008, Schaeuble pled guilty to two counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $730.94.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On February 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Alex Margaritis, former Financial Secretary of International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 (located in Bethlehem, Pa.), was sentenced to four years supervised probation, including two months of home confinement, and ordered to pay additional restitution in the amount $1,320.79 and a special assessment of $100. Margaritis had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $12,000. On September 23, 2008, Margaritis pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On February 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Scott Gehringer, former President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 (located in Bethlehem, Pa.), was sentenced to three years supervised probation, including two months of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.Gehringer had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $547. On September 23, 2008, Gehringer pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On February 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norman J. Stefanik, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1450 (located in Watertown, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $25,808.29 between February 2004 and November 2007. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On February 23, 2009, in the Superior Court of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Michael West, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84845 (located in Evansville, Indiana), pled guilty to one count of conversion. West previously made full restitution in the amount of $650.Subsequently, West was sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended) and a fine of $20 plus court costs. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, an information was filed charging Audrea Ann Jimenez, former secretary/bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 262 (located in San Jose, Calif.), with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On February 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, an information was filed charging Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On February 19, 2009, in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Willie Harris, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE Local 2823 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,784.61 following a guilty plea to one count of aggravated theft. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Veterans Administration's Office of the Inspector General.
On February 17, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Larry Ramsey, former secretary-treasurer of the Representatives and Organizers Union (located in St. Louisville, Ohio), with embezzling $163,222. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On February 17, 2009, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Todd Novak, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 3 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, two years probation, and was fined $2,000. On October 31, 2008, Novak pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $47,780.89 which he repaid prior to sentencing. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On February 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth L. Holman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 665 (located in Ishpeming, Mich.), pled guilty to making a false statement or representation of a material fact on the annual financial report filed by Local 665. On December 1, 2008, an information was filed charging Holman with the same offense. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On February 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, William Sargent, Jr., former Treasurer of AFGE Local 704 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to five months imprisonment and one year supervised release and ordered to pay remaining restitution in the amount of $22,995.74 and a $25 assessment. On November 20, 2008, Sargent pled guilty to one count of larceny within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Prior to his sentencing, Sargent paid restitution in the amount of $8,019.55. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On February 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Christina Geathers, former Financial Secretary/Treasurer ofSteelworkers Local 357 (located in Georgetown, S.C.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $36,865 and two counts of filing false LM-3 reports. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On February 9, 2009, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved a stipulation ofsettlement between the Department of Labor andLocal 3 of the Bakery Workers (located in Long Island City, N.Y.). The stipulation settles a lawsuitthat the Department filed against Local 3 seeking to void the August 29, 2008 rerun election, supervised by OLMS, for the offices of two union-wide Business Agent positions.Local 3eliminated the Business Agent position that represented employees at Entenmann's Bakery thereby, according to OLMS' investigative findings, denying Entenmann's members the opportunity to run for and vote for any business agent position. Local3 agreed to hold a new election, under OLMS supervision, for the two union-wide business agent positions.The settlement follows an investigation by theOLMS New York District Office.
On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Neil Cremin and Ira Sokol, former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspectors, pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The pleas follow a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, George Ortiz, former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The plea follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as New York City school bus companies , by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Milton Smith, a New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, was found guilty of extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The judgment follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as the New York City school bus companies, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
On February 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeffrey C. Harris, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders and Plastics Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.) pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,048. Harris agreed to make restitution in the same amount.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On February 4, 2009, in the Court of Common Pleas for Jefferson County, Ohio, Deborah Chichick, former Treasurer of Communication Workers of America Local 4527 (located in Steubenville, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of theft in the amount of $1,440.Chichick was then sentenced to serve one year probation and ordered to make restitution. The plea and sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On February 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Keith H. Cook, former Secretary Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 620 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to twelve months and one day imprisonment for embezzlement of union funds, ten months imprisonment for making a false entry in union records, three years supervised release for embezzlement of union funds, and one year supervised release for making a false entry in union records (to run concurrently). He also was ordered to make restitution of $47,079.21 and pay a $125 assessment. On September 15, 2008, a jury found Cook guilty of one count of embezzling union funds and one count of making a false entry in union records. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
On February 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Roberta Dauch, former office secretary of the North Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Sandusky, Ohio), was sentenced to four years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $27,537.On September 8, 2008, Dauch pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Christopher Ethington, former President of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to five years probation, five months of home detention, ten consecutive weekends of incarceration, ordered to make restitution of $15,100.50 and pay a $100 assessment. On October 7, 2008, Ethington plead guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Donna Roles, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 14310 (located in Mt. Hope, W.Va.), was sentenced to one month of incarceration, three years supervised release, ordered to make restitution in the amount of $70,000 (of which $1,775 has already been repaid) and pay a $100 special assessment. Additionally, Roles was ordered to undergo drug and alcohol evaluation. On October 6, 2008, Roles pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $76,420. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Mervin Patrick Getzen, former Secretary Treasurer of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to three years probation, six months home detention, and order to pay a $100 assessment. Getzen had previously made restitution in the amount of $7,012. On November 3, 2008, Getzen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Angelo Wiggins, former President of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE) Local 408 (located in Mobile, Ala.), pled guilty to a one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,269.85. On January 27, 2009, Wiggins was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Peter Rhein, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3845 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pled guilty to a fourteen count indictment that included six counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $43,600 and eight counts of making a false statement. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On January 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Grace Gaines, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to five years probation including six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, ordered to pay restitution in the amount $11,328.00 and a special assessment of $400.00.On October 24, 2008, Gaines pled guilty to a four count indictment for embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.
On January 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Eugene Huss, former Area Vice President of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,000 and pay a $100 fine. On October 22, 2008, Huss pled guilty to two counts of falsification of union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On January 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Rebecca Montgomery, former bookkeeper/office secretary for the Machinist Eastern Regional Office (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was sentenced to one year probation, fined $1,000 and ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100. Montgomery had previously made restitution in the amount of $14,340. On October 22, 2008, Montgomery pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $509. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Carl W. White, former Treasurer of IATSE Local 251 (located in Madison, Wis.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,963.31. Per the agreement, White agreed to restitution in the same amount, and to reimburse the local $10,125 for expenses it incurred in its internal investigation. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On January 14, 2009, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Jeffrey Baker, former co-chairman of the Picket Committee for Machinists Local Lodge 1943 (located in Middletown, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record. Following his plea, Baker paid restitution in the amount of $16,050. Baker misappropriated approximately 107 strike pay checks and forged members' signatures on the union's check register for 101 checks.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Carol Bruno, former Treasurer of AFSCME, Civil Service Employees Association Region 4 (located in Albany, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. Also, Bruno agreed to pay restitution. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On January 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Joseph Michael Johnson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Lodge 687 (located in Charleston Heights, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $102,519. On September 10, 2008, Johnson was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
Last Updated: 08-20-10