Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. 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. WebOn April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. Itsfounding pastor is accused of stealing up to $5 million afteraudits and reviewsin the summer of 2017. ), 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 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. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. Mosley was sentenced to one day in prison, six months in home confinement, and 18 months of additional supervised release. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. There have been 300 unions that have discovered theft in the past two years. 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. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} ), with one count of embezzlement of union funds between August 2006 and October 2007. Following his plea, Baker paid restitution in the amount of $16,050. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. "The actions of a few individuals should not be held against the entire union and its membership, almost all of whom act with the utmost honesty and integrity every day to help our working men and women.. 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. On November 3, 2008, Getzen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. 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. Former Dance School Comptroller Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Million Fraud As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Ex UAW boss Williams charged in embezzlement scandal - The Hundreds of union officials have been indicted for other crimes that victimize union members, such as filing false reports, keeping false records, destruction of records, extortionate picketing and deprivation of rights by violence. On September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. This is both externally from the public and internally from members. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Vernon, Ind. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York 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 February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. All rights reserved. Lopez was found guilty on two substantive counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of union property. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States Northern District of Oklahoma The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Even more astounding is that in many of these cases several people are part of the situation with embezzlement rather than just one person. On July 9, 2009, Olson pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in books and records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington Distrct Office. UAW Official Nabbed for Embezzlement Well, Ive just identified 80% of the country.. 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. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with Many in the public perceivelabor unions to besynonymous with corruption. The criminal charge is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a 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. 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 sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Suite 300 The AEA is the local union for Arlington public school educators. Charges were levied against an ex-president of the UAW in January 2017. 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. 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 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. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. 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. Last updated on: November 14, 2021, 11:59h. 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. Officer at TXDOT Credit Union in Wichita Falls, Texas Sentenced to and NAGE -SEIU Local 01-25 (located in Brockton, Mass. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. 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. OLMS has investigated and prosecuted union leaders for embezzling more than $100 million in union dues since 2001. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. /*-->*/. 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. You cant train people to be ethical. He conceded it hurts the union's image internally and externally. There are a wide variety of unions that experience problems with embezzlement no matter the size. 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. She is scheduled to be sentenced May 1. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta 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. A locked padlock The .gov means its official. On May 11, 2009, Thomas pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $28,500 in union funds. 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.) 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 charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. Law enforcement officials said less-qualified people tend to end up in union finance roles because they're often elected based on popularity rather than qualification. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and David D. Whipple prosecuted the case. 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. 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. 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. Former charter school official sent to prison for embezzling funds ol{list-style-type: decimal;} In December 2008, Pagano pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records. Becker had previously made restitution in the amount of $6,500 in union funds. Often, this situations discovery is through a routine audit, or someone sees a discrepancy in the accounts when the person is on vacation or has left the position. 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). 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. 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. And law enforcement warned of a growing trend at the time. The union collects roughly $65 per month from each of its members; the money is split between the local and the national office. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. On February 17, 2009, Ramsey was charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. 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. UNION COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Officials say the headmaster at Union Academy charter school will not return after her contract expires at the end of June. Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. 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. 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. On October 9, 2009, Marsalis pled guilty to one count of creating false entries in union records. Steinruck previously made restitution in the amount of $1,987. We have also at times withstood investigations that have tested our goodwill," he said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison is prosecuting the case. On February 24, 2009, Vincent pled guilty to two counts of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds. 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. Dr. Walters has been instrumental in our childrens lives and at Union Academy. 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 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. Williams was charged in a criminal information, which means a guilty plea is expected. 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 an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. On October 7, 2008, Ethington plead guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. #views-exposed-form-manual-cloud-search-manual-cloud-search-results .form-actions{display:block;flex:1;} #tfa-entry-form .form-actions {justify-content:flex-start;} #node-agency-pages-layout-builder-form .form-actions {display:block;} #tfa-entry-form input {height:55px;} Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. Houston, TX 77002, Houston: 713-567-9000 Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. #block-googletagmanagerheader .field { padding-bottom:0 !important; } As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Two contractors were sentto prison and ordered to pay restitution, too. 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 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Dennis Williams, president of the UAW, said the 415,000-member union takes seriously issues of fraud and wrongdoing. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration. 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). Sergio Acosta oversawthe benefit plan for UAW Local 2326 and, authorities say,conspired with Lawrence Ackerman, who is accused of creating two shell companies to market health insurance to about 700 ineligible participants from across the country, New Jersey Advance Media reported. Her trial is scheduled for March 19. We had our union president build a big elaborate house with materials, money and labor through our union. 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. On November 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A. Just to clarify, that is restitution of more than $102 million. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco 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. 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. 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. 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. ), pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Detroit Federal prosecutors charged a local United Auto Workers official Wednesday with embezzling more than $2 million in union funds, money laundering and An information raises no inference of guilt. The Ingham County DA made headlines for prosecuting 53 embezzlement cases in 2014, up from 35 cases the year prior, according to the Lansing State Journal. ), were indicted on a combined total of 199 counts of wire fraud. Sadly, fraud can destroy a companys trust, impact it financially, and in some cases, shut it right down. 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 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. They also said that labor unions operate on shoestring budgets and often lack resources needed to provide oversight. 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 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. This petition starter stood up and took action. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.