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. Williams was charged in a criminal information, which means a guilty plea is expected. 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. Drake was immediately sentenced to two years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,050 and fined $160. In June 2014 to the founder of Prim Capital Corp was sentenced to 18 months. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Bokaiyan, through his company, was to provide IT equipment and services to a new school not yet constructed. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. 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. Investigators are said to be examining General Motors and Ford union training centers, as well. While superintendent, Garza awarded a contract to a company whose owner then sent funds back to Garza. 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. On March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. An official website of the United States government. Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. ol{list-style-type: decimal;} According to an investigation by the Detroit Free Press, federal records reveal embezzling from union offices is endemic around the country. On October 9, 2009, Spell had been charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. On June 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former bookkeeper of AFGE Local 1923 (located in Baltimore, Md. Itsfounding pastor is accused of stealing up to $5 million afteraudits and reviewsin the summer of 2017. Regardless, it is clear that union corruption is alive and well across the country. ADVERTISEMENT Priest charged with stealing $830,000 from retired priests December 1, 2022 The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the New York State Police. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties.. In one such case, the union was taking money for one legitimate purpose and stealing it to purchase personal gifts. We see more fraud cases go unreported to avoid publicity.. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Tulsa, OK 74119, Phone:(918) 382-2700 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. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. On February 3, 2009, Rhein pled guilty to a fourteen count indictment that included six counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $43,600 and eight counts of false statements. On July 31, 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.) pled guilty to embezzling union funds. Indeed, prosecutors saytheft is common from nonprofits and small businesses,and often goes undetected for years. / CBS San Francisco. On Jan. 25, a former secretary treasurer of the UAW Fox Valley Area Community Action Programin Oshkosh, Wis., was sentenced toprison and ordered to pay $30,020 in restitution for embezzlement. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Well, Ive just identified 80% of the country.. 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 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. On May 1, 2009, Hooks pled guilty to embezzling $15,192 in union funds. 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 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. Additionally, Roles was ordered to undergo drug and alcohol evaluation. In February 2017, the business manager of Washington, D.C.s Laborers Local 657 was sentenced to four years in prison. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. 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. On August 6, 2008, ORourke had been charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $23,057 and falsifying union records. They give workers a powerful voice heard by employers. 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. 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. Two contractors were sentto prison and ordered to pay restitution, too. On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. Attorneys Jeffrey A. Gallant and David D. Whipple prosecuted the case. A locked padlock Ironically, its government entities and organized labor groups, which are highly regulated, that discoverembezzlement because of auditing requirements. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Postal Inspection Service. @media only screen and (min-width: 0px){.agency-nav-container.nav-is-open {overflow-y: unset!important;}} 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. Thieves often are beloved colleagues who leave a profound sense of betrayal. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Separately, Moscoso was charged for unreported wages and failing to pay employment taxes for his business, LA Duct Cleaning LLC. The plea and sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. ), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. Unions have a purpose to protect workers. 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 Some explain that embezzlement is happening now because non-financial professionals are in positions handling union finances. 2023 www.freep.com. We are upset and outraged with this notification (the day after school ends). It should be a daily concern for business owners, said Amy Buben, a certified fraud examiner with Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants, which works with the Michigan Small Business Association. The Labor Department records show that union theft happens in big cities and tiny towns in all corners of the country. p.usa-alert__text {margin-bottom:0!important;} The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. You also can email OLMS-Public@dol.gov or call 202-693-0143 with your complaint or questions. On April 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert L. Carr, Business Manager of Plumbers Local 228 (located in Yuba City, Calif.), and his wife Theresa A. Carr, were charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and the embezzlement of over $45,000 in union funds, from at least January 2000 through March 2007. 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 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. A conviction is a judgment based on a jurys verdict, judges finding, or the defendants admission that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged. 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. On October 22, 2008, Huss pled guilty to two counts of falsification of union records. Embezzlement can be a tricky situation with all of the money that flows into unions. OnDecember 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for theSouthern District of Mississippi, Dale Holifield, formerFinancial Secretary TreasurerofUnited Food and Commercial Workers Local 982C(located inPearl, Miss. This accusation is a dire situation that could result in the loss of your job, the potential of having a difficult time finding a job in the future, fines, and even a prison sentence. In this case, two contractors were given prison time and restitution fines. He conceded it hurts the union's image internally and externally. You cant train people to be ethical. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Finance experts in Michigan and nationally say it is essential that people understand the toll embezzlement takes oncharities, business and public and private schools. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. A guilty plea is a defendants admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS SEIU California's director of government relations, Tia Orr, will take over as interim executive director for the union, Schoonover said. Vernon, Ind. 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. It was hard to believe she was stealing from us. @media (max-width: 992px){.usa-js-mobile-nav--active, .usa-mobile_nav-active {overflow: auto!important;}} Thats not always the case. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009. I think the public has a perception that theyre all greedy mobsters and these things reinforce stereotypes that theres corruption. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. Casesinvolved unions representing nurses, aerospace engineers, firefighters, teachers, film and TV artists, air traffic controllers, musicians, bus inspectors, bakery workers, roofers, postal workers, machinists, ironworkers,steelworkers, dairy workers, plasterers, train operators, plumbers, stagehands, engineers, electricians, heat insulators, missile range workers andbricklayers. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. On January 27, 2009, Wiggins was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. On June 19, 2009, Elsezy had pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Per the agreement, White agreed to restitution in the same amount, and to reimburse the local $10,125 for expenses it incurred in its internal investigation. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District 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.. On August 5, 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.), was sentenced to two years probation and 75 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS. 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.) On November 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A. 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. For the UAW, its two biggest cases involved members working hand-in-hand with corrupt auto industry executives. Williams was charged in a criminal information, which means a guilty plea is expected. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. 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. 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. 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. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;} His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23. 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. The UAW has weathered many storms over the years, and through bad economic times, long strikes, relentless and vicious organizing drives. This methodology may put someone without experience in charge of large amounts of money. 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. Elsezy 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. Fraud in small business in Michigan, and nationally, is chronic. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. The AEA is the local union for Arlington public school educators. The judgment 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 companies, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. On June 26, 2009, in the City Court of Geneva, New York, Bradley Steinruck, former President of Steelworkers Local 828 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), was sentenced to seven days imprisonment, five years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} 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. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. At the time, we were giving out food boxes and Meijer gift cards. 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. In the case of embezzlement in unions, money comes in from union dues. On October 7, 2008, Ethington plead guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the office of the Inspector General, Railroad retirement Board. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Often, the person or people that took part are typically members of the organization that everyone likes. On May 13, 2009, Pfeiffer pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,051. 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. 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. Posted on: November 13, 2021, 11:30h. The charge follows and investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. He was further ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution in the amount of $191,292 to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). 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. The UAW says this illustrates that its constitutionprovides the intended checks and balancesthat essentially requiretwo keys and conspiracyto steal. 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 plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. On September 2, 2011, Ford pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. He added: "Any misuse of funds is unacceptable, and we are committed to doubling down on our efforts to ensure that all officers and staff adhere to the highest level of ethical and financial conduct.". The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office. On February 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Mary Schaeuble, Chair of the Insurance Committee of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and to make restitution in the amount of $4,000.On November 25, 2008, Schaeuble pled guilty to two counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $730.94.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. Tungett previously made restitution to the union. In conclusion, the first thing that you need to do is to seek legal counsel thats familiar with the prosecution of this crime. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. Have a question about Government Services? 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.
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