With a union-friendly administration, 2014 was not as busy as in previous years for the union-corruption police at the U.S. Department of Labor, the following is a listing of Department of Labor actions taken in 2014 to combat union corruption:
On December 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Florez, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3922 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment for taking away with the intent to steal property of another within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, in the amount of $59,709. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On November 25, 2014,in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Milton Hilliard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 287 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 180 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $34,612 and a fine of $4,000. On August 28, 2014, Hilliard pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 24, 2014, in the Eastern District of New York, Warren Joseph Annunziata pled guilty to violating 29 U.S.C. 1111 (persons prohibited from holding certain positions related to an employee benefit fund). In 2011, Annunziata was sentenced to prison for his participation in an extortion scheme, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951, following a DOL investigation of his activities while the fund administrator for the plans of the United Craft and Industrial Workers Local Union 91, an independent union located in Williston Park, N.Y., that represents primarily school bus drivers and matrons. The current plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On November 24, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennifer Gent, former office manager for Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 12, Industry of Western Pennsylvania Joint Apprenticeship Training Fund (JATF), located in Pittsburgh, Pa., pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging her with embezzling $30,297, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2015. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On November 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Jeffrey Jones, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $7,649 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, after six days of jury deliberation and a seven week trial, John Perry, former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was found guilty of multiple counts of Hobbs Act extortion, extortion conspiracy, racketeering and racketeering conspiracy. Perry was also found guilty of one count of willfully permitting Joseph Burhoe to serve in a prohibited union position as a representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 504. Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2015. The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.
On November 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, after six days of jury deliberation and a seven week trial, Joseph Burhoe, a former Representative of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was convicted of multiple counts of Hobbs Act extortion, extortion conspiracy, racketeering and racketeering conspiracy. Burhoe was also convicted of one count of willfully serving in a prohibited union position as a representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 504. Burhoe is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2015. Burhoe also has a separate pending trial based on his being charged with three counts of mail fraud for being overpaid unemployment insurance benefits. The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.
On November 18, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Raymond Norville, former New Jersey contractor and owner of RLL Unique Homes Inc., was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $98,600 in restitution. On June 11, 2014, Norville pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Authorities charged that Norville stole at least $100,000 from International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1233 (located in Newark, N.J.). In addition, Norville defrauded a home owner of nearly $100,000 for materials that he neither delivered to the work site nor provided proof that he had purchased. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.
On November 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was charged in an information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On November 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Choi Hawks, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $10,744 from the union. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Reda Overton, former Executive Secretary to the General Chairman of the Locomotive Engineers, IBT, GCA 4 (located in Independence, Ky.), was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $206,056 and a $100 special assessment. On May 20, 2014, Overton pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On November 5, 2014, in the Adams County Wisconsin District Court, Christopher Zawikowski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3495 (located in Grand Marsh, Wis.), pled no contest to one count of theft in a business setting of less than $2,500, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b), and was then sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,400. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On November 4, 2014, in the Perry County Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Brian K. Stoneburner, former Treasurer for Bricklayers Local 44 (located in Newark, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $13,235. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On November 4, 2014, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of South Dakota Postal Workers Union (located in Huron, S.D.), was charged in a three-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $36,309, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On November 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Kimberly Hesla, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 474 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to filing a false report with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On October 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Michael E. Sewell, the owner and operator of MESCO, a contractor that did business with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $89,222. On August 27, 2014, Sewell pled guilty to one count of falsifying a document required to be kept by ERISA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027, for knowingly underreporting the hours of work for MESCO employees in documents required to be kept under ERISA as part of the records of employee welfare benefit plans and employee pension benefit plans. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On October 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jeremy Bolte, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) Lodge 800 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was charged in an information and pled guilty to 10 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 501(c). The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On October 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Kimberly Hesla, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 474 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was charged in an information with filing a false report with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charge follows an investigation by OLMS Chicago District Office.
On October 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Rena Opre, former Secretary-Treasurer for Workers United, SEIU Local 323 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was sentenced to a $250 fine and $25 special assessment. On May 14, 2014, Opre pled guilty to filing a false report with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On October 15, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, an indictment was filed against Shiryll L. Durham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1687 (located in Mountain Home, Tenn.), charging her with two counts of mail fraud totaling $2,651, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On October 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Aide Spade, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 709 (located in Littleton, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of making and using a false document knowing the same to contain materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and entries, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.
On October 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Mary Grace Gossett, former office assistant for Bakery Workers Local 26 (located in Denver, Colo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $41,622 and a $300 assessment. On July 17, 2014, Gossett pled guilty to three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On October 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jesse E. Morgan, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On October 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Jeffrey Jones, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $7,649 from the union. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On October 1, 2014, in District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County, Rodney Horne, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 34 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged with theft of $500 or more, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104, for stealing $4,525 from the union. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On September 30, 2014, in the 71st District Court of Harrison County Texas, Jerry Ragster, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3057 (located in Marshall, Tex.), pled guilty to Felony Theft, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 (e)(4)(A), and signed a six-month deferred adjudication order. Ragster also paid full restitution of $3,372. On November 21, 2013, Ragster was indicted for theft of $3,372 in union funds, in violation of Texas Penal Code 31.03. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Patricia Moore, former employee and Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Protective Services Associations (NUPSA), located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 150 days home confinement with electronic monitoring (some exceptions for movement), four years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $107,346 and a $100 assessment. On October 27, 2011, Moore pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud from NUPSA and the National Union of Law Enforcement Associations, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dale Hull, former Secretary-Treasurer for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 261 (located in Herington, Kans.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On September 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Amy Atherton, former bookkeeper for Laborers Local 366 (located in Sheffield, Ala.), was sentenced to six months of confinement, six months of home detention, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $174,283. On June 17, 2014, Atherton pled guilty to one count providing false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On September 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Robert Vargeson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 88329 (located in Gaines, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $6,013 in restitution. On April 24, 2014, Vargeson pled guilty to making false entries in required union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On September 19, 2014, in the County Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska, Mark Whetstone, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3928 (located in Lincoln, Neb.), was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay $4,811 in restitution, a $59 fine, and $630 in fees. On May 13, 2014, Whetstone pled no contest and was found guilty of one count of theft by deception, in violation of Nebraska Revised Statute 28-512. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On September 19, 2014, in the Greene County, Missouri Circuit Court, Jackie Nutter, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 15485 (located in Springfield, Mo.), was charged with theft for stealing $12,284 in union funds, in violation of RS:MO 570.030, a class C felony. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On September 17, 2014, in the Hancock County, Indiana Circuit Court, an information was filed against Marcia K. Shull, former Financial Secretary of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Local 661 (located in Greenfield, Ind.), for one count of felony theft, in violation of IRC 35-43-4-2(a), and one count of felony forgery, in violation of IRC 35-43-5-2(b)(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, JC Stamps, former Executive Director and Founder of the National Union of Protective Services Associations (NUPSA) and the National Union of Law Enforcement Associations (NULEA), both located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to nine months of confinement in a community correctional facility, three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $192,091. On June 23, 2014, Stamps pled guilty to theft from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664, for embezzling from the two unions and NUPSA’s health and welfare fund. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On September 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jeanine Breaux, former secretary/bookkeeper for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1846 (located in Metairie, La.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $82,414 and a $100 special assessment. On March 12, 2014, Breaux pled guilty to a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 16, 2014, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Juanita Phillips, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 389 – Home Care Employees (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty during her trial to one count of grand larceny in the third degree. The sentencing is scheduled for October 30, 2014. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On September 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, James Jones, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 898 (located in San Angelo, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. Jones paid full restitution of $11,164 prior to his sentencing. On April 3, 2014, Jones pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $11,164, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Robert Mays, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 561 (located in Logan, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $24,833, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 11, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, a federal jury issued a guilty verdict to Anthony Davis, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 314 (located in Hazelwood, Mo.), for one count of embezzlement. Evidence at the trial established that Davis created numerous false vendor invoices to further his scheme to embezzle $40,659. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a guilty verdict. On April 23, 2014, Davis was indicted on one count of embezzling from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing has been set for December 8, 2014. The trial and guilty verdict follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On September 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Henry Hull, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, IBT Local Lodge 654 (located in Southaven, Miss.), was sentenced to one year of home confinement with electronic monitoring, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,500 and an assessment of $100. On June 3, 2014, Hull pled guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On September 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Cedric Hughes, former Treasurer of the United Union of Professionals (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds in the amount of $15,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On September 8, 2014, in the New Hanover County General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division, an indictment was filed against Michael Dinkins, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1426 (located in Wilmington, N.C.), charging him with one count of embezzlement totaling $5,282, in violation of North Carolina General Statute 14-90. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On September 4, 2014, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Criminal Division, Celia Ferrand, former payroll clerk for International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of Felony Theft, Receiving Stolen Property, in violation of Indiana Code Section 35-43-4-2, and was then sentenced to 730 days of probation and was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and a $4 court fee. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Paul Vargas, former Treasurer of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 102-F (located in NAS Lemoore, Calif.), pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of theft totaling $120, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. He was then sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation, 250 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,065 (in monthly payments of $400), a $1,000 fine, and a $25 special assessment. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On September 2, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, David L. Barr, former Treasurer of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 99 (located in Monaca, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and to attend an alcohol addiction treatment program. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,745 at a rate of not less than 10% of his gross monthly earnings and a $100 special assessment fee. On April 16, 2014, Barr pled guilty to embezzling $5,688 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia – Pittsburgh District Office.
On August 28, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Milton Hilliard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 287 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $34,612 from the union by making personal purchases on the union’s debit card and cash withdrawals from the union’s account. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On August 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Michael E. Sewell, the owner and operator of MESCO, a contractor that did business with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of falsifying a document required to be kept by ERISA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027, for knowingly underreporting the hours of work for MESCO employees in documents required to be kept under ERISA as part of the records of employee welfare benefit plans and employee pension benefit plans. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On August 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Robert Lewis, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3585 (located in Canton, Ill.), was sentenced to four months of imprisonment, one year of supervised release with the first eight months being home confinement, and was ordered to pay restitution of $77,469 and a $100 assessment. On April 14, 2014, Lewis pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On August 26, 2014, in the 10th Judicial Circuit in Jefferson County, Alabama, an indictment was filed against John K. Clifton, former Unit Griever of the Steelworkers Local 1013 (located in Fairfield, Ala.), charging him with one count of theft of property in excess of $2,500, in violation of Alabama Code 13A-8-3. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On August 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Don McMahon, former Treasurer for Civilian Technicians Association Independent (CTAI), Tennessee State Council for Air (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was sentenced to one month of imprisonment, three years of supervised release with the condition of one year home detention with electronic monitoring during the first year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $11,928 in restitution and a $100 fine. On May 16, 2014, McMahon pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On August 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Richard Molczyk, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 493 (located in Omaha, Neb.), was indicted in a sealed indictment on five counts of embezzlement totaling $13,196 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment was unsealed on September 4, 2014 and Molczyk made his initial court appearance on September 22, 2014. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On August 15, 2014, in the Brown County Wisconsin Circuit Court, Arthur Homa, former President of Steelworkers Local 2-47 (located in Green Bay, Wis.), was charged with one count of felony theft of an amount between $2,500 and $5,000, in violation of Wisconsin Statute 943.20(1)(b) & (3)(bf). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On August 13, 2014, in the Westchester County Criminal Court in White Plains, New York, Frank Gluberman, former Treasurer of the Greenburgh Teachers Federation (GTF), located in Hartsdale, N.Y., pled guilty to one count of grand larceny in the second degree in the amount of $784,865. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
On August 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the State of Alaska, Jonathan Smith, former Financial Secretary of Carpenters Local 2247 (located in Juneau, Alaska), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,770, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On August 7, 2014, in the State of Oregon, County of Clatsop, Brandon Kent, former Treasurer for United Steelworkers Local 12-1097 (located in Westport, Ore.), pled guilty to two counts of theft in the first degree, in violation of ORS 164.55. Kent was then sentenced to 30 days in prison, three years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $19,911 and a $200 fine. The sentencing followed an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On August 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ann Marie Shaffer, former dues clerk for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On August 4, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California Division, Fred Correll, former Treasurer of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) District Council 2 (located in Fullerton, Calif.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $10,000 with interest. A sum of $500 must be paid immediately and the balance of the fine was ordered to be paid in monthly installments of $500 during the period of probation. The payments will begin 30 days after the commencement of supervision. On April 29, 2014, Correll pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of filing a false tax return when he failed to report the embezzled income on his 2009 tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the IRS.
On August 4, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Ryan Sherard, former President of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) District Council 2 (located in Fullerton, Calif.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 1,000 hours of community service. On April 23, 2014, Sherard pled guilty to one count of making a false statement in a labor union financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), when he failed to report in the union’s LM-2 report approximately $9,600 that he received from the union. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the IRS.
On August 4, 2014, in the Circuit Court of the City of Portsmouth, Eric Barnett, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 171 (located in Portsmouth, Va.), was sentenced to four years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $10,212. On May 7, 2014, Barnett pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of 18.2-111 of the Code of Virginia. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On July 31, 2014, in the Perry County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Brian K. Stoneburner, former Secretary-Treasurer of Bricklayers Local 44 (located in Newark, Ohio), was indicted on one count of grand theft in excess of $7,500, but less than $150,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On July 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dale T. Hull, former Secretary Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 261 (located in Herington, Kans.), was charged in a five-count indictment for embezzling in excess of $14,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and for making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Milton Hilliard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 287 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $25,575 from the union. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On July 29, 2014, in the United States Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael C. Trembulak, former President of Utility Workers Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $31,528 during the period April 19, 2012 through September 18, 2012, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 24, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Robert Davis, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 644 (located in Cameron, Ill.), was sentenced to four years of probation with the first six months being supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of $24,625 and a $100 assessment. On March 20, 2014, Davis pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On July 24, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Michael E. Sewell, the owner and operator of MESCO, a contractor that did business with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of falsifying a document required to be kept by ERISA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027, for knowingly underreporting the hours of work for MESCO employees in documents required to be kept under ERISA as part of the records of employee welfare benefit plans and employee pension benefit plans. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On July 21, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Michael W. Couch, former Business Manager for Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $8,867 in restitution. On March 11, 2014, Couch pled guilty to willful concealment of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On July 18, 2014, in the State of Washington, County of Clark, William Hainsey, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 249 (located in Vancouver, Wash.), pled guilty to a single count of theft in the first degree, in violation of RCW 9A.56.030. He was then sentenced to nine months in prison and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $45,574 and a $500 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On July 16, 2014, in the United States Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, John Vetterly, Jr., former President of Utility Workers Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), was sentenced to nine months of house arrest with electronic monitoring, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $26,605 plus interest and a fine of 10% of the funds embezzled or $2,660. On March 20, 2014, Vetterly pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $26,605, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On July 15, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Jacob Barkemeyer, former Treasurer and Local Chairman of Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Local Lodge 172 (located in Los Lunas, N.M.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,608, a $1,000 fine, and a $25 assessment. On January 2, 2014, Barkemeyer pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with a false entry in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 15, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee and FOP Lodge 189 (located in New York, N.Y.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds and making false statements to a federal investigator, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1001, for embezzling at least $100,000 in total from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses, by withdrawing cash for personal use, and by taking steps to hide his crimes. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On July 11, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kenneth Marshall, Jr. was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $18,851. On March 6, 2014, Marshall pled guilty to bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash counterfeit checks drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Nyaunu-Wi Meatia Palmer was sentenced to two years of supervised probation, 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $9,836. On April 9, 2014, Palmer pled guilty to bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a counterfeit check drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On July 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Robert Mays, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 561 (located in Logan, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $24,833, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On July 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, an indictment was filed against Cynthia Collins, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 12 (located in Athens, Ga.), charging her with one count of embezzlement totaling $23,345, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsification of an annual financial report filed by the labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On July 1, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Jerry Thomas Vincent, Jr., former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 783 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was charged in a 19-count indictment for embezzling $17,272 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); making illegal loans to himself totaling $23,760, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503; and falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On June 26, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Harold Ray, former Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 469 (located in Mobile, Ala.), and former Secretary of the NALC Alabama State Association (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was sentenced to two months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, three years of supervised release (including eight months of home confinement), and was ordered to pay $31,954 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 20, 2014, Ray pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.
On June 24, 2014, in the State of Ohio, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Thomas Wolfer, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84729 (located in Fayetteville, Ohio), was indicted for felony theft of property or services worth $7,500 or more in union funds. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office.
On June 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, JC Stamps, former Executive Director and Founder of the National Union of Protective Services Associations (NUPSA), and the National Union of Law Enforcement Associations (NULEA), both located in Washington, D.C., pled guilty to one count of theft from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664, for stealing $194,611 from the two unions and NUPSA’s health and welfare fund. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On June 13, 2014, in the McCracken County, Kentucky Circuit Court, David Lynch, former President and Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 383 (located in Paducah, Ky.), was indicted for theft of more than $10,000 in union funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On June 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Dianna Woodall was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and was also ordered to pay restitution of $9,836. On March 26, 2014, Woodall pled guilty to bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a counterfeit check drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On June 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Joseph Lombardo, Founder and Managing Director of Prim Capital Corporation, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $200 special assessment. On November 14, 2013, Lombardo pled guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy to obstruct justice relating to his attempt to defraud the National Basketball Players Association (located in New York, N.Y.), of $3 million through the use of a fraudulent retention contract. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department’s Office of Inspector General.
On June 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Aurora Rios, former cashier for Laborers Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, six months of home confinement, and three years supervised release. Rios was also ordered to pay $11,500 in restitution and $2,175 in fines. On April 28, 2010, Rios was charged with 21 counts of embezzling approximately $167,500 and three counts of falsifying union records. She pled guilty on April 10, 2012. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On June 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, JC Stamps, former Executive Director of the National Union of Protective Services Association (NUPSA), located in Washington, D.C., was charged in a criminal information with embezzlement of $86,170 from the union’s health and welfare fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664 (theft from an employee benefit plan). The charges are the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On June 6, 2014, in the Superior Court of Chatham County, Georgia, Steven C. Anderson pled guilty to one count of forgery in the first degree, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-9-1(b), and one count of theft by deception, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-8-3, for embezzling from the United Steelworkers Local 1087 (located in Riceboro, Ga.). Anderson was then sentenced to 10 years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,830 and a $350 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On June 5, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mary Craigen, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to 90 days of home confinement, two years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $8,975. On November 20, 2012, Craigen pled guilty to count one of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On June 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Aide Spade, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 709 (located in Littleton, Colo.), was indicted on four counts of falsely underreporting union disbursements paid to her, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, James E. Charleston, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to one year and one day of imprisonment followed by 18 months of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,784. On January 28, 2014, Charleston pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On May 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, J.D. Richey, former Secretary Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Lodge 3025 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,300. On February 21, 2014, Richey pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On May 21, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Carolyn Kaufman, a principal of Prim Capital Corporation, was sentenced to six months of home confinement with monitoring, three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, and was fined $25,300. On December 11, 2013, Kaufman was found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and perjury related to her co-defendant Joseph Lombardo’s attempt to defraud the National Basketball Players Association (located in New York, N.Y.), of $3 million through the use of a fraudulent retention contract. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 15, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Laurie Hoffman, former bookkeeper for Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 12 (located in Roseville, Minn.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,909 and a $100 fine. On December 18, 2013, Hoffman pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $8,909, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On May 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Charleston Division of the District of South Carolina, Timothy A. Gamble, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 378 (located in Aynor, S.C.), was charged with embezzling $9,345 in union funds between May 2010 and May 2013, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On May 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Stone, former bookkeeper for Boilermakers Local Lodge 374 (located in Hammond, Ind.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $9,170 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On February 7, 2014, Stone pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On May 13, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Elizabeth Branca, former business manager for Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 12 (located in Roseville, Minn.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $16,546 and a $100 fine. On December 19, 2013, Branca pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,546, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On May 13, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Mary Grace Gossett, former office assistant for Bakery Workers Local 26 (located in Denver, Colo.), was charged in a criminal information with three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On May 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Linda Ryan, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 208 (located in Irving, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of confinement, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $54,416 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 30, 2014, Ryan pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On May 7, 2014, in Circuit Court for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Eric Barnett, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 171 (located in Portsmouth, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of 18.2-111 of the Code of Virginia. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Portsmouth Police Department.
On May 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, James Babcock, former Financial Secretary of United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 121 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $24,854 in restitution. On January 16, 2014, Babcock pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 5, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ‘Alex’ Cedeno, former President and Health & Welfare Fund Trustee of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), was arrested following a criminal complaint was filed charging him with one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The investigation disclosed that from April 2009 through October 2011, Cedeno allegedly embezzled a total of $93,965 in union and employee benefit funds. Cedeno used the debit card to incur numerous unauthorized, inappropriate, and personal charges. The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On May 2, 2014, in the Stearns County Court of Minnesota, James Kiser, former Directing Business Representative of International Association of Machinists (IAM) District Lodge 65 (located in St. Cloud, Minn.), was sentenced to five years of probation, 30 days in jail with credit for one day served (to be served by way of home detention), and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,918 and a $50 fine. On March 14, 2014, Kiser pled guilty to one felony count of theft by swindle of over $1,000, in violation of Minnesota Theft Statute 609.52. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On April 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Edward Martin Mosher, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 458 (located in Plant City, Fla.), was sentenced to time served in prison followed by three years of supervised release with standard and special conditions. Mosher had been incarcerated for 11.5 months prior to being released. Mosher was also ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $43,941. On January 22, 2014, Mosher pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California Division, Fred Correll, former Treasurer of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) District Council 2 (located in Fullerton, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of filing a false tax return when he failed to report the embezzled income on his 2009 tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201. The sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2014. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the IRS.
On April 28, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Udean Forbes-Payton, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2500 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged with embezzling $5,562 in union funds between December 2006 and May 2011, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 24, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Robert Vargeson, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 88329 (located in Galeton, Pa.), pled guilty to a misdemeanor information for false entry or willful concealment of books and records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), as a result of a loss to the union in the amount of $6,373. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On April 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Ryan Sherard, former President of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) District Council 2 (located in Fullerton, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of making a false statement in a labor union financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), when he failed to report in the union’s LM-2 report approximately $9,600 that he received from the union. The sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2014. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the IRS.
On April 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine. Karr previously paid restitution in full. On December 11, 2013, Karr pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $158,150, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On April 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennifer Gent, former office manager for the Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 12 Journeyman-Apprentice Training Fund (JATF) for the Sheet Metal Industry of Western Pennsylvania (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was indicted for one count of embezzling $30,297, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On April 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Anthony Davis, President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 314 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $40,659 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Britta Duncan, former Treasurer of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 5 (located in Portland, Ore.), was sentenced to eight months of home detention, five years of probation, mental health counseling, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $43,183 and a $500 fine. On October 8, 2013, Duncan pled guilty to three counts of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On April 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Kristie McClarren, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3061 (located in Crestline, Ohio), was sentenced to 18 months of confinement followed by two years of supervised release with standard and special conditions. McClarren was also ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $152,639. On January 17, 2014, McClarren pled guilty to embezzlement of $152,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 22, 2014, in the Superior Court of Fulton County, Nathan Lee, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) Local 536 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was charged with one count of theft by taking in the amount of $3,074, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-8-2. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On April 16, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, David L. Barr, former Treasurer of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics & Allied Workers (GMP) Local 99 (located in New Brighton, Pa.), pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $5,688, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing is scheduled for September 2, 2014. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 16, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jonathan Smith, former Financial Secretary of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (UBCJ) Local 2247 (located in Juneau, Alaska), was indicted for one count of embezzling $40,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On April 15, 2014, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Criminal Division, Celia Ferrand, former payroll clerk for International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 135 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was indicted for theft; receiving stolen property of $8,094 in union funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On April 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, James Edwin Hedges III, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 201 (located in Trinidad, Colo.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $16,205 in restitution. On February 24, 2014, Hedges pled guilty to a three-count information charging him with falsifying annual labor union financial reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Robert Vargeson, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 88329 (located in Galeton, Pa.), was charged in a criminal information with falsification of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On April 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Nyaunu-Wi Meatia Palmer pled guilty to one count of bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a $9,836 counterfeit check drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On April 7, 2014, in the 184th Judicial District Court, Houston County, Texas, Kenneth Smith, former President of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 208 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty and then was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $1,300 fine. On October 18, 2013, Smith was charged with felony theft in the value of $1,500 or more but less than $20,000, in violation of Texas State Penal Code Section 31.03. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On April 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, James Jones, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 898 (located in San Angelo, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $11,164 in both union and JATC funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On March 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Robert Lewis, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3585 (located in Canton, Ill.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of approximately $77,469, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On April 14, 2014, Lewis signed a waiver of indictment and pled guilty to the information. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Duane Rill, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Berry Metal Employees’ Association (located in Cranberry, Pa.), was sentenced to six months of home detention with electronic device monitoring commencing immediately, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay the remaining restitution in the amount of $896 and a $100 special assessment. Rill previously made partial restitution in the amount of $12,600. On November 22, 2013, Rill pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging him with embezzling union funds in the amount of $13,496, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 26, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Dianna Woodall pled guilty to bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a $9,836 counterfeit check drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 25, 2014, in the State of New Jersey, County of Burlington, Michelle Garber, former office employee of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1778 (located in Wrightstown, N.J.), was indicted before the Grand Jury and charged with one count of Theft by Deception (3rd degree), in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-4; one count of Misapplication of Entrusted Property (3rd degree), in violation of N.J.S. 2C:21-15; and Elements of Computer Theft (3rd degree), in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-25c in an amount in excess of $500 but less than $75,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On March 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Ronald Martin, former bookkeeper for International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 9 (located in Denver, Colo.), was sentenced to five months of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $30,338 and a $200 assessment. At the time of his sentencing, Martin also petitioned the court for an exemption from the Section 504 bar prohibiting him from serving as a union official or employee for 13 years following his conviction; the judge denied his request. On November 14, 2013, Martin pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On March 20, 2014, in the United States Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, John Vetterly, Jr., former President of Utility Workers Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $26,605, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On October 8, 2013, Vetterly was indicted for embezzlement and conspiracy to embezzle union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Robert Davis, former Secretary-Treasurer for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 644 (located in Galesburg, Ill.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On July 23, 2013, Davis was charged in an indictment with embezzling $27,712 in union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On March 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Harold Ray, former secretary for National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 469 and the Alabama State Association, located in Mobile, Ala. and Birmingham, Ala., respectively, pled guilty to count one of the indictment to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 31, 2014, Ray was indicted in a two-count indictment with one count of embezzling $38,565 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On March 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Rena Opre, former Secretary Treasurer for Workers United, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 323 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was charged in an information with one count of failing to disclose a material fact in a report filed with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On March 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Julie Skaggs, former office manager for International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 372 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $51,491 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On March 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Jesse Madrigal, former Treasurer of the Independent Oil and Chemical Workers Union (IOCW) (located in Kansas City, Kans.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Madrigal already paid full restitution in the amount of $30,607. On November 27, 2013, Madrigal pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds totaling $24,227, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On March 14, 2014, in the Stearns County Court of Minnesota, James Kiser, former Directing Business Representative of International Association of Machinists (IAM) District Lodge 65 (located in St. Cloud, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of over $1,000, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52. On December 18, 2012, Kiser was charged with four felony counts of theft by swindle totaling a theft of $5,919. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On March 13, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Nyaunu-Wi Meatia Palmer was charged in a criminal information with one count of bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a counterfeit check for more than $1,000 drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 13, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Dianna Woodall was charged in a criminal information with one count of bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for participating in a scheme to cash a $9,836 counterfeit check drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On March 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jeanine Breaux, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 1846 (located in Metairie, La.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On February 3, 2014, Breaux was charged in a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On March 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Andrea Hobgood, former secretary for Ironworkers Local 58 (located in New Orleans, La.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 27, 2014, Hobgood was charged in a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On March 12, 2014, in the Hennepin County (Minnesota) District Court, Jason Brown, former shop chairman of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 87140 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of over $1,000, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52. Brown was then sentenced to one year and one day confinement (stayed for five years), but ordered to serve 90 days of confinement in addition to five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,905 less whatever restitution he previously paid. Brown may not possess a firearm and must provide a DNA sample. Brown will be allowed to serve his time either at a workhouse with work release or at home with electronic home monitoring. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On March 11, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Michael W. Couch, former Business Manager of Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was charged in an indictment with false entry and willful concealment of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Couch pled guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On March 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Melissa Gustafson, former bookkeeper for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84110 (located in Silvis, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of home confinement, three years of probation, three months of curfew, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Gustafson already paid full restitution of $12,059. On August 16, 2013, Gustafson pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On March 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Janet Posey, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $250 fine. On October 22, 2013, Posey pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. Posey previously made full restitution of $3,026. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Linda Bland, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $947 in restitution and a $250 fine. On October 22, 2013, Bland pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kenneth Marshall, Jr. pled guilty to one count of bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, for cashing two counterfeit checks totaling $18,851 drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jesse E. Morgan, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was indicted on 29 counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling $185,000 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On February 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joseph Hulstedt, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) Local Lodge 1046 (located in Oswego, Ill.), pled guilty to making a false entry in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Hulstedt was then sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Hulstedt had previously paid full restitution in the amount of $6,836. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On February 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Rufino Sanchez, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-10 – Air Traffic Controllers Assistants (located in Aurora, Ill.), was sentenced to four years of probation, six months of home detention (special condition of probation), and was ordered to pay $18,765 in restitution, $18,765 in forfeiture of property, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. On March 22, 2013, Sanchez pled guilty to mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 12, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Leonard Bridge, II, former business manager for Elevator Constructors Local 131 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was indicted on 20 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On February 12, 2014, in the Franklin County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Kimberly Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transport Workers Union Local 12 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was indicted on one count of theft in an amount greater than $1,000 but less than $7,500, and one count of forgery. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On February 7, 2014, in the New York County (Manhattan) Criminal Court in New York, New York, Juanita Phillips, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 389 – Home Care Employees (located in New York, N.Y.), was indicted for theft of union funds in the amount of $15,273. The charges included one count of grand larceny, four counts of forgery, and four counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On February 7, 2014, in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Stone, former bookkeeper for Boilermakers Local Lodge 374 (located in Hammond, Ind.), was charged in an information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On the same date, Stone pled guilty to the embezzlement charge in the amount of $9,169. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 5, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Angela G. Webster, former office secretary for United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 943 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was sentenced to six years of probation and was ordered to pay $23,015 in restitution. On November 5, 2013, Webster pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On February 3, 2014, in the 16th Judicial District Court, St. Mary’s Parish, Patrick Parker, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 638C (located in Franklin, La.), pled guilty to theft of $1,500 or more, a violation of LA R.S. 14:67. Parker was then sentenced to five years at hard labor (suspended), three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,480 and $1,375 in fines. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On February 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Adam Raimer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1027 (located in Fresno, Calif.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay the remaining restitution amount of $18,429 and a $200 special assessment. Raimer had previously paid restitution in the amount of $23,000. On September 20, 2013, Raimer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,429, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle Office.
On February 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jeanine Breaux, former secretary/bookkeeper for United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1846 (located in Metairie, La.), was charged in a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 31, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Harold Ray, former secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 469 (located in Mobile, Ala.), and former secretary of the NALC Alabama State Association (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $38,565 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.
On January 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Linda Ryan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 208 (located in Irving, Tex.), pled guilty to embezzling $54,416 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 23, 2014, Ryan was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 28, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Shelly Roanhorse, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3601 (located in Claremore, Okla.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $4,565 in restitution. On October 21, 2013, Roanhorse pled guilty to a one count indictment charging her with making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 28, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, James E. Charleston, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. A superseding indictment filed on August 15, 2013 charged Charleston with four counts of mail fraud and one count of theft on government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On January 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Andrea Hobgood, former Secretary for International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 58 (located in New Orleans, La.), was charged in a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 23, 2014, in the Dakota County (Minnesota) District Court, David Westgard, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 65 (located in Mendota Heights, Minn.), was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,241. Westgard had previously paid restitution in the amount of $22,719. On November 12, 2013, Westgard pled guilty to one count of Theft – Indifferent to Owner Rights. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On January 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville, Reda Overton, former Executive Secretary of Locomotive Engineers, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) 4-175 (located in Cynthiana, Ky.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling approximately $206,056 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On January 21, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Edward Martin Mosher, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-458 (located in Plant City, Fla.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $65,895, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office.
On January 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Kristie McClarren, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3061 (located in Crestline, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $152,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 16, 2014, in the 421st Judicial District Court, Caldwell County, Texas, David Martinez, former Secretary Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 267 (located in Austin, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,512 and a $1,500 fine. On April 12, 2013, Martinez was charged with felony theft in the value of $1,500 or more but less than $20,000, in violation of Texas State Penal Code 31.03. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 16, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, James Babcock, former Financial Secretary of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE) Local 121 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $24,854, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 15, 2014, in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Texas, James Jones, former Business Manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 898 (located in San Angelo, Tex.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $11,551, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kenneth Marshall Jr. was indicted on one count of bank theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2113(b), and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2 for cashing two counterfeit checks totaling $18,851 drawn on the bank account of Marine Engineers Benevolent Association District 1 (located in Washington, D.C.). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On January 10, 2014, in the Oklahoma County Court for District 7, Stephanie Johnson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Lodge 465D (located in Kansas City, Kans.), was charged in a one-count information with forgery and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Henry Hull, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Lodge 654 (located in Southaven, Miss.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $8,240 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On January 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Don McMahon, former Treasurer of Civilian Technicians Association Independent (CTAI) Tennessee State Council for Air (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud totaling $3,543, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On January 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Mark Valerio, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 249 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), and former officer of IBEW System Council U-7 (located in Johnson City, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year of probation and 500 hours of community service. Valerio was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39,049 and a $500 fine. On September 18, 2013, Valerio pled guilty to a one-count misdemeanor of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On January 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Natasha J. Bever, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4202 (located in Rantoul, Ill.), was sentenced to one year plus one day in prison and three years of supervised release. Bever was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $55,759 and a $100 special assessment. On June 28, 2013, Bever pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $149,404, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On January 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Michael Pontician, former Financial-Secretary of Steelworkers Local 480 (located in Pottsville, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,626. On August 28, 2013, Pontician pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records to conceal an embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
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An indictment is a formal accusation or charge based on a finding by a Grand Jury that it is likely that the person charged committed the criminal offense described in the indictment and is the means by which an accused person (defendant) is brought to trial. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury. An information raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A charge is an accusation of criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information.
A guilty plea is a defendant’s admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial.
A conviction is a judgment based on a jury’s verdict, judge’s finding, or the defendant’s admission that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.
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.
