On February 3, 2009, Wiggins pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. and West Roxbury, Mass. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. In just the past two years, more than 300 union locations have discovered theft, often resulting in more than one person charged in each instance, the records show. 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 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 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. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo 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. U.S. Department of Labor documents obtained by the Free Press show embezzlementfrom hundreds of union offices nationwideover the past decade. ADVERTISEMENT Priest charged with stealing $830,000 from retired priests December 1, 2022 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 information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. We are upset and outraged with this notification (the day after school ends). ), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. Moon obtained in excess of $2,000 from Local 1626 in the form of unapproved loans totaling $14,931. WebFord was ordered to pay $174,100 in restitution and a $125 special assessment. 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. Also, Bruno agreed to pay restitution. The .gov means its official. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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 October 6, 2008, Roles pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $76,420. 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. 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. 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). The sentencing and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. Plus, they have to pay back 1,632,00 in restitution. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. The UAW says this illustrates that its constitutionprovides the intended checks and balancesthat essentially requiretwo keys and conspiracyto steal. 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 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. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties.. 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 Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) opened an investigation after an internal audit by Steelworkers Local 145 revealed a loss of union funds. "We are deeply concerned about the allegations against Alma Hernndez. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington Distrct Office. .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} An audit revealed Garza paid three checks totaling approximately $252,757 to Hot Rod Systems before it completed any work. 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. Since 2001, there have been more than 2,000 union racketeering indictments and $3 billion levied in fines and restitutions. On August 8, 2008, Della Porta was indicted on one count of embezzling approximately $108,000 in union funds. On August 26, 2008, Simpson was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. 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. Embezzlement 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. 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. 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. Tulsa, OK 74119, Phone:(918) 382-2700 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. Officials say the Board of Directors does not discuss individual personnel matters and cannot comment on the circumstances around Dr. Walters departure. The charge follows an investigation by theOLMSDetroit District Office. On February 17, 2009, Ortiz pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. On October 30, 2008, Steinruck had pled guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree for taking union funds in the same amount. 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. A lock ( Bealefeld was then sentenced to three years probation. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. 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. 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). 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. 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 an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. Have you been accused of embezzlement in a union? UAW leader charged with embezzling union funds amid contract 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. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. 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. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville Office. 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 sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. 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. 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 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. pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling over $5,000. 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. We have accepted Ms. Hernndez's resignation, and we have cooperated fully with authorities on this matter and will continue to do so," Bob Schoonover, executive director of the SEIU California State Council, said in a statement. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Thecharges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Walston, Bania and Mosley were ordered to pay restitution totaling $900,936. was charged in a one count information of Theft totaling $1,560.The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Bokaiyan, 58, Houston, had also pleaded guilty for his role in the scheme and was ordered to pay $156,595 in restitution. On May 13, 2009, Pfeiffer pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,051. An OLMS investigation concluded that Elsezy created and cashed checks, drawn from the unions 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. No trial dates havebeen set. The sentencing follows an investigation by 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. This petition starter stood up and took action. 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. 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. 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 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. Each defendantfaces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. Fraud in small business in Michigan, and nationally, is chronic. Official websites use .gov Postal Inspection Service. 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. Embezzlement can be a tricky situation with all of the money that flows into unions. The case was continued without a finding for two years, pending the successful completion of two years supervised probation. He had previously made restitution in the amount of $55,866. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard:313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com. 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. 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. 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. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Another group hit hard by embezzlement are churches. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco 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. Hernandez also faces two charges of grand theft and one of perjury for her work as treasurer on a 2014 political committee supporting a state Senate candidate. The site is secure. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Its just access to money., He added, "These people view themselves as overworked and underpaid. 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. Officer at TXDOT Credit Union in Wichita Falls, Texas Sentenced to 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 sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. In just the last two years alone, more than 300 union offices were found to have a union official or employee stealing from union members. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. 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 $18,100. 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. As the UAW,Fiat Chrysler and federal investigators unravel a scandal over the misappropriation of millions ofdollars meant for worker training, federal records show that embezzling from union offices is endemic around the country. Lopez and Rodriguez were ordered to pay restitution totaling $864,924. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the US Department of Labor Office of Inspector General. On March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. Now hes in prison, said Michael Galetti, a carpenterwho works in Detroit. 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 sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday to racketeering and embezzlement. Some explain that embezzlement is happening now because non-financial professionals are in positions handling union finances. On September 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, Former charter school official sent to prison for embezzling funds, Four co-conspirators charged with bank fraud, Dallas man heads to prison for deed fraud scheme, Former Charter School Official Sent To Prison For Embezzling Funds. SEIU California's director of government relations, Tia Orr, will take over as interim executive director for the union, Schoonover said. It can appear to the public that only large unions, such as those that cover auto workers, experience these types of issues. Brophy had previously paid over $47,172 in restitution. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. ), admitted to sufficient facts to the charge of larceny over $250 by a single scheme. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,731.54. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with embezzlement. I think the public has a perception that theyre all greedy mobsters and these things reinforce stereotypes that theres corruption. 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 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. Former Labor Union President Sentenced for Embezzling Union The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. 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 Cleveland District Office. In June, a former president in Lafayette, Ind., was sentenced to jail and ordered to pay restitution after diverting more than $100,000 in union money for personal use. Garza then used some of the funds to purchase a New Nissan Armada SUV and a condominium located on Gentryside Drive in Houston. 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.
William Griggs Obituary, Karen Cole Swift River Scenario 2, Capgemini Invent Director Salary, Western New England University Greek Life, Difference Between Poahy And Poahf, Articles U