When it comes to cases regarding embezzlement in unions, there is. 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. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. ), pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. 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. Often, the person or people that took part are typically members of the organization that everyone likes. On April 1, 2003, Martin was convicted of mail fraud and theft from a labor organization. Russia was also charged with receiving stolen property. 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. OLMS has investigated and prosecuted union leaders for embezzling more than $100 million in union dues since 2001. Unions have a purpose to protect workers. On May 13, 2009, inthe 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 plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. On June 7, 2019 parents and faculty received an e-mail from the Union Academy Board of Directors notifying that Dr. Ann Walters contract is expiring on June 30, 2019. p.usa-alert__text {margin-bottom:0!important;} 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. This is a petition to the Board of Directors to renew Dr. Ann Walters contract as Headmaster of Union Academy. Contact the Law Of Read this blog to learn more about felony offenses in New Jersey and how the courts determine the se 2023 Law Office of Douglas Herring. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling over $5,000. We had our union president build a big elaborate house with materials, money and labor through our union. The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards conducted the investigation. 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. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. Thomas was also ordered to make outstanding restitution totaling $14,324.84. 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. Two UAW incidents uncovered in 2017, one in Michigan and the other in New Jersey,exceedthe $1-million mark, among the biggest labor theft cases in a decade. 2021 Criminal Enforcement Actions | U.S. Department of Labor The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Alphons Iacobelli, formervice president at FCA, was charged in July 2017 with conspiracy and delivering more than $1.2 million in prohibited payments and things of value to the late General Holiefield, former vice president of the UAW, Holiefield's wife and other UAW officials. 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 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. They allegedly owe the state more than $140,000 and could face state prison time. Postal Inspection Service. 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. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Her trial is scheduled for March 19. 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. In fact, small businesses are the most vulnerable, and we are seeing more significant occurrences in churches, nonprofits, financial institutions and the manufacturing industry, she said. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. On October 9, 2009, Spell had been charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. The union collects roughly $65 per month from each of its members; the money is split between the local and the national office. An agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution AveNW 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. ADVERTISEMENT Priest charged with stealing $830,000 from retired priests December 1, 2022 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. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23. On February 24, 2009, Vincent pled guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. 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. 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. A Maryland woman who gambled away nearly $1.5 million in funds from the elite dance school where she served as comptroller pleaded guilty to fraud in U.S. District Court Prosecutors noted federal laws heavily regulate union finances, so the odds of discovering wrongdoing are greater than in the private sector. 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. 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. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis 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. 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. On October 22, 2008, Montgomery pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $509. 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. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,824.30 and a special assessment of $100.00. A former unionbusiness manager for Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223in New York and former president of Teamsters Local 810in August 2016pleaded guilty tosoliciting and receive kickbacks to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan and commit theftof $1 million. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. Mosley was sentenced to one day in prison, six months in home confinement, and 18 months of additional supervised release. 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. In Since 2001, there have been more than 2,000 union racketeering indictments and $3 billion levied in fines and restitutions. 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. 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 situation may be as simple as a bookkeeper going on vacation and leaving an attentive part-timer in charge who notices irregularity. Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. Theyre all very stung, not only financially but emotionally, said Todd Rammler, president of Michigan CFO Associates. embezzling Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison is prosecuting the case. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. ), was sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation. 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 November 12, 2009, Kobe was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between 2005 through 2006. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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. 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 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. .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} On May 1, 2009, Hooks pled guilty to embezzling $15,192 in union funds. .usa-footer .grid-container {padding-left: 30px!important;} 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. Lopez was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and two years supervised release. Or you can peruse the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) Annual Report, which highlights the most significant enforcement actions against union officers and employees each year. 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. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo 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 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. 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. Of course, the shocking data from the Department of Labor only includes the cases where the theft, racketeering and other criminal activity were caught. The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154 in Pittsburgh saw its former business manager plead guilty in September 2017 to embezzling approximately $1.5 million, plus tax evasion. 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. And law enforcement warned of a growing trend at the time. 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 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 sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the New York State Police. 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 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. For decades, the labor bosses running unions have been caricatured as morally bankrupt, mobster-like thugs who care more about power and money than serving their hard-working, dues-paying members. 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 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. 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. He conceded it hurts the union's image internally and externally. .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} Unions are experiencing a time period where they are not overly popular. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York 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. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago 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. 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 plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Finance experts say theft related to labor unions isa reflection of what's happening throughout society. On April 23, 2008, Williams was indicted on one count of forgery totaling $1,431. 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 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. OLMS has investigated and prosecuted union leaders for embezzling more than $100 million in union dues since 2001. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. OLMS field offices can provide guidance on how to file a complaint, including guidance regarding any additional steps you may need to take before filing a complaint and your ability to file an anonymous complaint. 110 W. 7th Street The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. 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.) He was further ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution in the amount of $191,292 to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The plea follows an investigation by OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. On August 26, 2008, Simpson was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. .table thead th {background-color:#f1f1f1;color:#222;} The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. Attorney General Rob Bonta said Wednesday his office filed charges against Hernandez and her husband, Jose Moscoso, on Oct. 4. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Charges were levied against an ex-president of the UAW in January 2017. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Usually, the crimes are committed by the union local's bookkeeper, president or treasurer. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. On August 21, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Unions 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. 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. We see more fraud cases go unreported to avoid publicity.. Burkhart pleaded guilty on April 8, 2021, admitting to embezzlement and theft of labor union assets. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 assessment. UAW Official Nabbed for Embezzlement The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. 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. 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. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. 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. On February 17, 2009, Ortiz pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. All rights reserved. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Thomas Jerome Burkhart, Jr., 59, of Sapulpa, to three years of probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the labor union in the amount of $19,900. Lock Drawdy agreed to make restitution in the amount of $17,900. 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. 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 inLos Angeles, Calif.), was found guilty of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. You cant train people to be ethical. The OLMS notes: As part of its effort to protect and safeguard union funds and assets, OLMS investigates possible embezzlement from unions and other violations of criminal laws. Subsequently, Scott was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation. 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. His charges include working with a health insurance broker to embezzle money from the union. It was hard to believe she was stealing from us. Have you been accused of embezzlement in a union? FREE Consultations 24/7 Availability 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. Renew Dr. Ann Walters contract as Headmaster at Union Academy This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. WebDr. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. embezzlement On September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. 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. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,468.19. On September 24, 2009, Wuest pled guilty to a charge of concealment or destruction of union records.