What Are Some High Profile Cases of Embezzlement in Unions? It can appear to the public that only large unions, such as those that cover auto workers, experience these types of issues. Federal records for 2017 show a handful ofsmaller losses to UAW locals: Federal records for 2016 document these losses to UAW locals: Preventing embezzlement is nearly impossible, so decisive action must be taken when it arises, said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley who specializes in labor and the global economy. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office. 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. 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 charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} 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 September 9, 2009, Wuest was charged with the same offenses. HOUSTON The former superintendent of Houston Gateway Academy has been ordered to federal prison after taking more than a million dollars, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery. Scandal just reinforces stereotypes about unions. On December 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Ira Sokol, a former school bus inspector for the New York City Department of Education, was sentenced to two years probation including six months home confinement, ordered to pay a fine of $10,000, and make restitution in the amount of $5,000 following a guilty plea to conspiracy to accept bribes in an industry receiving federal funds. ), admitted to sufficient facts to a charge of larceny over $250. On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Audrea Ann Jimenez, former secretary/bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 262 (located in San Jose, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. In one such case, the union was taking money for one legitimate purpose and stealing it to purchase personal gifts. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. 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 June 17, 2009, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Rhonda Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 481 (located in Baltimore, Md. This methodology may put someone without experience in charge of large amounts of money. Brown was then sentenced to three years probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring and ordered to make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. On September 2, 2009, Witham pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. Official websites use .gov An OLMS investigation concluded thatBrownlee falsified vouchers for travel, per diem, lodging and lost time. 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. The former CEO agreed to plead guilty to one felony count of theft or embezzlement by a credit union employee. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville Office. On February 19, 2009, an information was filed charging Jimenez with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. "Over the last several months, we have been under a magnifying glass, and rightfully so. They were allegedly working together to take a million dollars from the self-insured health plan of the union. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Brown, former President of Federation of Teachers Local 5095 (located in Butte, Mont. On March 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Glen Gard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Local 2460 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $90,500.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. The Board looks forward to continuing to work with the school as we fill this important role with its students, faculty, staff, families, and the community in mind.. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Embezzlement is an action where a person takes in money for a business or other entity, and instead of putting it into the correct account, keeps it for themselves. Assistant U.S. Attorney Quincy L. Ollison is prosecuting the case. 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 Phoenix Resident Investigator Office. The charge, plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. "We are deeply concerned about the allegations against Alma Hernndez. A lock ( On March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. Lopez and Rodriguez were ordered to pay restitution totaling $864,924. Fax: (918) 560-7938. On October 9, 2009, Spell had been charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was charged with, embezzling, stealing and unlawfully converting to her own personal use moneys of a labor organization in the amount of $86,118. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. On October 6, 2008, Roles pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $76,420. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. 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. It may seem like a problem thats only hitting large unions, but in fact, it happens commonly all across the country in large and small areas. On August 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York Norma Fanning, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 503 (located in Ogdensburg, N.Y.) was sentenced to one-year probation, 100 hours of community service and fined $1,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI. On September 26, 2008, Luna was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount from November 2004 through June 2005. I think the public has a perception that theyre all greedy mobsters and these things reinforce stereotypes that theres corruption. The Maddalones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for their participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. ), with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. ), was sentenced to six months home detention and five years of supervision for the charge of bank fraud. On November 20, 2008, Sargent pled guilty to one count of larceny within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. On July 1, 2009, Wheeler had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. 1000 Louisiana, Ste. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. A former executive director of the Hawaii Painting & Decorating Contractors Association pleaded guilty in May 2016 to embezzling approximately $1,483,800 from the Hawaii Painters Trade Promotion & Charity Fund, which comes out of the hourly wages of Painters District Council 50 in Honolulu. On May 14, 2009, she pled guilty to theft of more than $500. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. On April 15, 2009, Fanningpled guilty to falsifying union records by submitting fraudulent expense claims in the same amount. On June 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Keith W. Hart, Jr., former Financial Secretary of Bakery Workers (BCTGM) Local 315G (formerly located in Mt. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. The verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. Rodriguez was convicted on two counts of mail fraud and three counts of theft of union property. Thieves often are beloved colleagues who leave a profound sense of betrayal. Fax Line: 713-718-3300. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Theyre all very stung, not only financially but emotionally, said Todd Rammler, president of Michigan CFO Associates. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS According to the Board Chair for Union Academy, Dr. Ann Walters contract expires at the end of the month. Its the same basic story over and over again. The .gov means its official. On July 23, 2009, in the Superior Court for Clark County, Indiana, Joseph E. Clegg, former President of American Postal Workers Local 753 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.) ), was indicted on one count of embezzling $18,100 between February 2004 and September 2008. Clark was then sentenced to three years probation and six months home confinement, and ordered to pay full restitution, a $2000 fine and a $125 special assessment. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. Alma Hernandez served as executive director for SEIU California since 2016. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the FBI. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. Union Academy is in great shape and poised to continue down the path of excellence. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and David D. Whipple prosecuted the case. On March 25, 2009, Dallas pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. Elsezy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,316.58. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. A lock ( Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. 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. In lieu of community service hours, Williams was also ordered to make a $175 monetary donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Official websites use .gov On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The sentence follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. 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. On July 9, 2009, Olson pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in books and records. Houston Gateway Academy is a charter school located in the Gulfgate area of Houston. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. 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. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. 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 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.

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