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. 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. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. It was hard to believe she was stealing from us. They were convicted of stealing 1,072,660 dollars from the union that they used to purchase toys, shoes, clothing, food, gas, entertainment expenses, and home improvement products. 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 May 14, 2009, she pled guilty to theft of more than $500. The Detroit Free Press reports that documents obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) show embezzlement took place in hundreds of union offices across the nation over the past ten years. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring today to discuss your situation. 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. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington Distrct Office. Each defendantfaces up to 10 years in prison, if convicted. .cd-main-content p, blockquote {margin-bottom:1em;} A lock ( One financial analystrecalled working with a treasurer who was dyslexic and another who had trouble balancing his own checkbook. Postal Services Office of Inspector General. On July 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, an information was filed charging Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, California), with one count of false statements. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration. 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. While superintendent, Garza awarded a contract to a company whose owner then sent funds back to Garza. 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. ol{list-style-type: decimal;} The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. 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. (CWA) Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), was sentenced to 5 years probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,001.86 and a special assessment of $100. On August 20, 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.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,556.65, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. 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. Ex UAW boss Williams charged in embezzlement scandal - The 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. FBI Is Investigating Massive Embezzlement of Border 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. Bruno was also ordered to enter into substance abuse counseling and attend credit counseling. 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. The union collects roughly $65 per month from each of its members; the money is split between the local and the national office. Official websites use .gov His charges include working with a health insurance broker to embezzle money from the union. Bealefeld was then sentenced to three years probation. On September 10, 2009, in Circuit Court for the State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, Robert Bealefeld, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders & Plastics Local 118 (located in Baltimore, Md. ), 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. If so, you need a seasoned attorney in your corner. On April 1, 2009, in the Criminal Court of the City of Syracuse, New York, Frederick Joseph McManus, Financial Secretary of Asbestos Workers Local 30 (Syracuse, N.Y.), was charged with grand larceny and falsifying business records associated with his actions as a union officer. On August 8, 2008, Della Porta was indicted on one count of embezzling approximately $108,000 in union funds. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, bakery workers, dairy workers, train operators, plumbers, steelworkers, and more have seen embezzlement cases. 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 case follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. On March 17, 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 indicted for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $186,997. Embezzlement can be a tricky situation with all of the money that flows into unions. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. On August 26, 2008, Simpson was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Thomas was also ordered to make outstanding restitution totaling $14,324.84. ), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. ), pled guilty to one count of theft over $500 for stealing $5,686 from the union. First published on October 13, 2021 / 2:43 PM. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Dr. Walters has been instrumental in our childrens lives and at Union Academy. On September 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Fax: (918) 560-7938. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. A lock ( The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. On January 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Eugene Huss, former Area Vice President of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,000 and pay a $100 fine. / CBS San Francisco. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,468.19. A boilermakers union official had a taste for luxury goods, but most of the stealing was small-scale. On March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. Theplea and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. They were in charge of the National Basketball Players Association. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Railroad Retirement Boards Office of the Inspector General. On April 15, 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.) pled guilty to falsifying union records by submitting $6,342.15 in fraudulent expense claims. 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. 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. Her trial is scheduled for March 19. The following individuals have been charged with violations of United States Northern District of Oklahoma On November 9, 2009, in the 52nd Judicial Circuit Court of Huron County, Michigan, Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), was sentenced to four months in county jail, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay the remaining balance of restitution owed in the amount of $7,000. On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Christine S. Throckmorton, former office secretary/bookkeeper for Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees Local 57 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,674.95. His trial is scheduled for March 19. .usa-footer .container {max-width:1440px!important;} Lopez was found guilty on two substantive counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of union property. An agency within the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution AveNW One of these issues is embezzlement. In the other multimillion-dollar case, charges were filed on Jan. 9, 2017, againsta former UAW president in New Jersey accused of hatching a scheme with a health insurance broker tosteal $1 million from the unions self-insured health planand defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of approximately $5.5million. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Assistant U.S. Separately, Moscoso was charged for unreported wages and failing to pay employment taxes for his business, LA Duct Cleaning LLC. In the Fiat Chrysler case in Detroit, money provided by auto companies for worker training was embezzled in 2009-15 by men who were supposed to be working together to negotiate a labor contract rather than divvying up hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal gifts. 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. Of course, the shocking data from the Department of Labor only includes the cases where the theft, racketeering and other criminal activity were caught. On August 3, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit ruled, in Warshauer v. Solis, that the Secretary of Labor did not act arbitrarily and capriciously in requiring a unions designated legal counsel (DLC) to report as an employer on Form LM-10 concerning potential conflict of interest payments to unions or union officials. 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 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 September 10, 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), pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for 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. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. Its everywhere. On April 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Oliver Kupau III, former lead field representative of Laborers Local 368 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was denied his request for an exemption from the LMRDA Section 504 prohibition against persons convicted of certain crimes holding union office or employment. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. Prosecutions of Union Officials in 2018 Unmasked Theft, In addition to the UAW, federal records show the biggest embezzlement cases resulting in criminal charges during the past decade have unfolded in the court system over the past threeyears: Embezzlement cases are often discovered by unions or during routine audits. An information raises no inference of guilt. He conceded it hurts the union's image internally and externally. Moon obtained in excess of $2,000 from Local 1626 in the form of unapproved loans totaling $14,931. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. 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 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. 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. The Labor Department records show that union theft happens in big cities and tiny towns in all corners of the country. 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. Also, Bruno agreed to pay restitution. The defendant is now a convicted felon and will pay back Steelworkers Local 145 for the funds he embezzled. 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. You also can email OLMS-Public@dol.gov or call 202-693-0143 with your complaint or questions. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. She is UA family to us and we want her to remain as Headmaster leading our school as she has been monumental in all UA has achieved over the last several years. "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.. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. 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 Miami Resident Office. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco 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. These were essentially persons entrusted with another's property, such as agents, attorneys, bankers, and corporate officers. Officials say the Board of Directors does not discuss individual personnel matters and cannot comment on the circumstances around Dr. Walters departure. And law enforcement warned of a growing trend at the time. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ), pled guilty to one count of stealing union funds in the amount of $6,350. Ironically, its government entities and organized labor groups, which are highly regulated, that discoverembezzlement because of auditing requirements. We are hired to detect suspected fraud, and to help businesses recover from the catastrophic financial effect it can have. No trial dates havebeen set. The admission follows and investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. Shingler was charged with taking union funds in the amount of $2,572. 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. ), was sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville Office. On October 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Michael Kelly, former Treasurer of Untied Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Lexington, Ohio), was sentenced to one year and a day confinement, three years supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution. Elliott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay assessments and fees of $594. Annual reports from the Department of Labor from 2008 through 2017 illustrate chronic embezzlement totaling millions. Bokaiyan, through his company, was to provide IT equipment and services to a new school not yet constructed. According to an investigation by the Detroit Free Press, federal records reveal embezzling from union offices is endemic around the country. Alma Hernandez served as executive director for SEIU California since 2016. At the hearing, the court noted Garza led a double life and had a desire for taking money from others which got him into trouble and led him to his situation today. 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 February 19, 2009, an information was filed charging Jimenez with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. 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. ), admitted to sufficient facts to a charge of larceny over $250. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Prosecutions of Union Officials in 2018 Unmasked Theft, In Detroit, four defendantsremain in the spotlight of theUAW-Fiat Chrysler (FCA) case: Jerome Durden, a former financial analyst incorporate accounting at Fiat Chryslerand former Controller of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center, pleaded guiltyin August 2017 after preparing and filing tax returns that concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to others in 2009-15. 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 site is secure. .paragraph--type--html-table .ts-cell-content {max-width: 100%;} The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the New York State Police. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On March 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $105,000.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. On January 7, 2009, Bruno pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. 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. 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 September 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $104,713.45 and pay a special court fee of $100.