On September 26, 2008, Luna was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount from November 2004 through June 2005. The union represents more than 700,000 workers - including nearly 60,000 Northern California workers through its Local 1021, and is politically influential, regularly donating millions to Democratic candidates. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the U.S. His charges include working with a health insurance broker to embezzle money from the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. 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. pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling over $5,000. We see more fraud cases go unreported to avoid publicity.. 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. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. This is both externally from the public and internally from members. The hard part is that everybody liked her," Dunbar said. 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. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard:313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com. Also, Bruno agreed to pay restitution. Indeed, prosecutors saytheft is common from nonprofits and small businesses,and often goes undetected for years. Brophy was immediately sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $100. October 13, 2021 / 2:43 PM Drawdy agreed to make restitution in the amount of $17,900. 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.). .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} Disclaimer | Sitemap | Privacy Policy. A message for Moscoso seeking comment that was left with a worker who answered the phone listed for Moscoso's business was not immediately returned. (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. Unions are experiencing a time period where they are not overly popular. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. Prosecutions of Union Officials in 2018 Unmasked Theft, They were convicted of stealing 1,072,660 dollars from the union that they used to purchase toys, shoes, clothing, food, gas, entertainment expenses, and home improvement products. On June 8, 2009,Brownlee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 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. If so, you need a seasoned attorney in your corner. Plus, they have to pay back 1,632,00 in restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis 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. 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. Its vital for you to protect yourself with legal help from the very beginning of this situation. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. On July 30, 2009, Kelly pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. Today, U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. sentenced him to serve 60 months in prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. 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. Defrauding Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield out of 5.5 million dollars is one of the accusations against them. Following his plea, Baker paid restitution in the amount of $16,050. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The founder of Prim Capital Corp., who managed as much as $250 million for the National Basketball Players Association, was sentenced in June 2014 to 18 months in prison for trying to defraud the union of $3 million. There are a wide variety of unions that experience problems with embezzlement no matter the size. He and his union gang (they referred to themselves as the Perry Crew) would shake down employers and pocket the payments that were supposed to go to the union benefit fund. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. On February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. One Teamsters official would introduce himself as Jimmy the Bull before threatening businesses and non-profits if they didnt hire his workers for jobs that didnt even exist (because they werent needed). Jimmy the Bull and the Perry Crew were ultimately found guilty of extortion and racketeering, joining the ranks of hundreds of union leaders who have been found guilty of a myriad of crimes against their union brothers and sisters. The admission follows an investigation bythe OLMS Boston District Office and the Massachusetts State Police. Shortly after Bokaiyan received the payments, he sent approximately $164,381 via wire transfer to Garzas personal bank account. ), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048. In addition, analysts said,lean times have led to cutbacks that limit oversight controls, and employee turnover during hard economic times may help expose wrongdoing. 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. ), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. All orders for restitution payments are to be paid jointly and severally. All Rights Reserved. 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 February 24, 2009, Vincent pled guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. 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. Usually, its the treasurer, bookkeeper or president actions that come to light. 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 plea follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Laborers Local 657 in Washington, D.C., saw its business manager sentenced to four years in prison in February 2017 for embezzlement and was ordered to pay $1,632,000 in restitution. Federal prosecutors say UAW leader Vance Pearson conspired with other union officials to embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars in union money. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. On September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. My office will continue to work with the Office of Labor-Management Standards to ensure corrupt union leaders like Burkhart are held accountable for their crimes.. 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. 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. On February 3, 2009, Wiggins pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. Texas largest charter school network ousted two of its top leaders and is working with authorities after a forensic review revealed some administrators used school The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh 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. He had previously made restitution in the amount of $55,866. Investigators are said to be examining General Motors and Ford union training centers, as well. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco 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. Local 598 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,690. An experienced attorney can help you to determine which course of action to take next. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. This methodology may put someone without experience in charge of large amounts of money. 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 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. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,468.19. We are upset and outraged with this notification (the day after school ends). On May 1, 2009, Hooks pled guilty to embezzling $15,192 in union funds. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} 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 unions 2004 officer election and its rerun. 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. Garza was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. SACRAMENTO (AP) The top staff member at California's largest labor union has resigned after she and her husband were charged with felonies including tax fraud. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco 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 Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Oklahoma, Former Labor Union President Sentenced for Embezzling Union Funds, Bixby Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Acquiring Almost $28,000 Worth of Commercial Products from a California Company, Former Chief Financial Officer Pleads Guilty for Failing to Pay Over $3.6M in Employee Tax Withholdings and for Pocketing $130,000 from his Employers Bank Account, Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- January 2023, Former Labor Union President Sentenced For Embezzling Union Funds. On November 3, 2008, Getzen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. These were essentially persons entrusted with another's property, such as agents, attorneys, bankers, and corporate officers. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Official Misconduct Charges in New Jersey, New Jersey Criminals and Parolees Could Have Voting Rights Restored. was charged in a one count information of Theft totaling $1,560.The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Usually, the crimes are committed by the union local's bookkeeper, president or treasurer. Postal Services Office of Inspector General. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. The investigation included members of the attorney general's office, the Employment Development Department, the Franchise Tax Board and the Fair Political Practices Commission, which is the state's campaign finance watchdog. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. On May 15, 2009, Stefanik had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. 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 plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. SEIU California Union Leader Resigns Following Fraud, Embezzlement Charges October 13, 2021 / 2:43 PM / CBS San Francisco SACRAMENTO (AP) The top staff A lock ( The sentence follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. 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 ofmaking false entries in union records. 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. Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office filed charges against Hernandez and her husband, Jose Moscoso, on Oct. 4. According to the Board Chair for Union Academy, Dr. Ann Walters contract expires at the end of the month. The English definition of the offense is followed in the United States. Thomas Burkhart Jr. was trusted by local union members as their president but instead abused his position to steal nearly $20,000 for his own personal use, said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. Last updated on: November 14, 2021, 11:59h. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They were charged with five felony counts of filing false tax returns, allegedly under reporting their income by about $1.4 million over five years, according to the complaint. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and David D. Whipple prosecuted the case. This petition starter stood up and took action. Former UAW President Dennis Williams was charged with embezzlement and defrauding the government as part of a multiyear corruption probe into one of America's The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District 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. Thecharges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Richard Garza, 61, Houston, pleaded guilty Sept. 20, 2019. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Jimmy the Bull and the Perry Crew also assaulted and intimidated rank and file union members who were critical of union leadership and physically blocked them from the union hall to keep them from voting on a contract proposal with a major employer. 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. #block-googletagmanagerheader .field { padding-bottom:0 !important; } On Sept. 21, a former local president was sentenced to prison after diverting more than $129,723 in union money for personal use in Danville, Ill. On December 1, 2008, an information was filed charging Holman with the same offense. An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury. 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. 2023 Washington Policy Center All Rights Reserved Terms of Use, Mark Harmsworth talking affordable housing on the Lars Larson Show, Opinion: HB 1011 dies Keep readying for a long-term-care payroll tax starting this summer, HB 1011 dies: Keep readying for a long-term-care payroll tax starting this summer, Survivor: Legislation allowing Washington to join multistate Nurse Licensure Compact is still alive, Seattles social housing authority measure near approval with latest vote count, Elizabeth Hovde on the Lars Larson Show discussing nurse-shortage issues and policy ideas. 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 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. Charges were levied against an ex-president of the UAW in January 2017. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. In addition to those crimes, the DOLs Office of Inspector General (OIG) has investigated numerous cases of labor racketeering and organized crimes influence within the labor movement. DETROIT (AP) Members of the United Auto Workers union appeared on Friday to favor replacing many of their current leaders in an election that stemmed from a federal bribery and embezzlement scandal involving former union officials. / CBS San Francisco. OLMS found that, from July 2018 to August 2019, Burkhart embezzled union funds by writing approximately 43 unauthorized checks to himself, resulting in a loss of $19,900 to the local union while he served as president of Steelworkers Local 145, located in Henryetta, Oklahoma, from 2014 through 2019. The criminal charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of willful concealment and destruction of required union records. He said the team has implemented as many safeguards as possible, with multiple signatures required on all financial paperwork with real-time bank account reviews. 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. TULSA, Okla. A man who attempted to fraudulently acquire more than $92,000 worth of commercial products from a California-based company pleaded guilty in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Clint TULSA, Okla. A former chief financial officer for a company with offices in Oklahoma pleaded guilty in federal court after failing to pay over to the IRS $3.6 million TULSA, Okla. United States Attorney Clint Johnson today announced the results of the January 2023 Federal Grand Jury A. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. Official websites use .gov On January 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Scott E. Rodgers, President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Harris agreed to make restitution in the same amount.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago 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. The incident created distrust that remains years later. Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and two years of supervised release. ), was indicted on one count of embezzling $18,100 between February 2004 and September 2008. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. Bealefeld was then sentenced to three years probation. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009.