Communications Workers of America
Guilty Pleas
Office of Labor-Management Enforcement
The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) conducts both civil and criminal investigations of alleged violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and related laws.
These investigations by OLMS District Offices involve issues such as embezzlements of union funds, union officer elections, the filing of required reports by unions and others with OLMS, and the imposition of trusteeships over subordinate unions by a parent body. These investigations may result in legal enforcement actions.
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| February 7th, 2023 | On February 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| October 28th, 2021 | On October 28, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lorena Becerra, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14904 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. On May 26, 2021, Becerra pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. |
| May 26th, 2021 | On May 26, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lorena Becerra, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14904 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. |
| July 21st, 2020 | On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, a former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $85,536. On December 13, 2019, Davis pleaded 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. |
| July 21st, 2020 | On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $50,967. On December 13, 2019, Smith pleaded 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. |
| June 2nd, 2020 | On June 2, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $30,611 and a $25 special assessment. On December 18, 2019, Childress pleaded guilty to one count 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 Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. |
| December 18th, 2019 | On December 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office. |
| December 13th, 2019 | On December 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling $85,536 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| December 13th, 2019 | On December 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling $50,967 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| November 7th, 2019 | On November 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was sentenced to three years of probation to include six months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,568 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2019, Popillo pleaded 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 Boston-Buffalo District Office. |
| August 29th, 2019 | On August 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was sentenced to 46 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by three years supervised release. Woodcock was also ordered to pay $519,963 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. He was taken into the immediate custody of the United States Marshals Service. On August 17, 2018, Woodcock pleaded 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. |
| August 7th, 2019 | On August 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was charged with a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,568, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office. |
| August 20th, 2018 | On August 20, 2018, in the Clark County, Indiana Circuit Court, Diana Brown, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84807 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.), pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of forgery, in violation of Indiana Revised Code 35-43-5-2(b)(1). Brown was then sentenced to eight years in jail (six years suspended with two years of daily reporting probation for non-resident) and six years of probation. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office. |
| August 17th, 2018 | On August 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| February 21st, 2018 | On February 21, 2018, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, MD, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, MD), was sentenced to 10 years in prison (suspended), 90 days of home detention, and 5 years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $46,271.52. On November 21, 2017, White pled guilty to one count of theft with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| November 21st, 2017 | On November 21, 2017, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(i), for stealing $46,271 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| July 13th, 2017 | On July 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $69,193. On January 31, 2017, Lackey pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office. |
| February 22nd, 2017 | On February 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), was sentenced to 16 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to make full restitution of $42,700. On October 11, 2016, Contreras pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $42,700. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria, Ohio Police Department. |
| January 31st, 2017 | On January 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office. |
| October 11th, 2016 | On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $42,700 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria Police Department. |
| July 26th, 2016 | On July 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $9,004 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On February 16, 2016, McJimpson pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office. |
| April 4th, 2016 | On April 4, 2016, in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Hood River, Bonita Scherling, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7970 (located in Hood River, Ore.), Scherling pled guilty to a single count of Forgery in the 1st Degree (ORS 165.013) and a single count Identity Theft (ORS 165.800). She was then sentenced to five years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $19,386 and a $500 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office. |
| February 16th, 2016 | On February 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). An information filed on that date charging McJimpson with one count of failure to maintain union records superseded a one-count indictment filed on August 18, 2015, which charged McJimpson with embezzling approximately $19,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office. |
| February 12th, 2016 | On February 12, 2016, in the 167th District Court of Texas, Richard McCullough, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to theft (greater than $20,000, but less than $100,000), in violation of Texas Criminal Code Section 31.03. McCullough was then sentenced to one year of confinement (suspended), two years of community supervision, and was ordered to pay $292 in court costs, $60 a month in supervision fees, a $30 Crime Stopper fee, and a $100 Family Violence Center fee. McCullough previously paid full restitution totaling $22,681. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| February 12th, 2016 | On February 12, 2016, in the 167th District Court of Texas, Jessica McCullough, former Chief Steward of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to theft (greater than $1,500, but less than $20,000), in violation of Texas Criminal Code Section 31.03. McCulloughÕs sentence was deferred contingent upon her completion of two years of community supervision. She was ordered to pay $292 in court costs, $60 a month in supervision fees, a $30 Crime Stopper fee, and a $100 Family Violence Center fee. McCullough previously paid full restitution totaling $7,556. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| February 12th, 2016 | On February 12, 2016, in the 167th District Court of Texas, Jessica McCullough, former Chief Steward of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to theft (greater than $1,500, but less than $20,000), in violation of Texas Criminal Code Section 31.03. McCulloughÄôs sentence was deferred contingent upon her completion of two years of community supervision. She was ordered to pay $292 in court costs, $60 a month in supervision fees, a $30 Crime Stopper fee, and a $100 Family Violence Center fee. McCullough previously paid full restitution totaling $7,556. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| November 5th, 2015 | On November 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was sentenced to eight weekends in federal prison, six months of home confinement, 100 hours of community service, 60 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,658 and a $100 special assessment. On June 18, 2015, Herold-Roden pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office. |
| July 1st, 2015 | On July 1, 2015, 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 sentenced to three years of community control and ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution plus court costs. On March 19, 2015, Wolfer pled guilty to one count of felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio SheriffÕs Office. |
| July 1st, 2015 | On July 1, 2015, 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 sentenced to three years of community control and ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution plus court costs. On March 19, 2015, Wolfer pled guilty to one count of felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio SheriffÄôs Office. |
| June 18th, 2015 | On June 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was charged with and pled guilty to a single count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling over $138,000 from the labor union. The sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2015. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office. |
| April 30th, 2015 | On April 30, 2015, 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 sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $79,526 and a $100 special assessment. On January 15, 2015, Ratcliff pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| March 19th, 2015 | On March 19, 2015, 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), pled guilty to one count of 5th degree felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2). The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio SheriffÕs Office. |
| March 19th, 2015 | On March 19, 2015, 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), pled guilty to one count of 5th degree felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2). The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio SheriffÄôs Office. |
| January 15th, 2015 | On January 15, 2015, 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.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $79,526, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office. |
| April 24th, 2014 | 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. |
| March 12th, 2014 | 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. |
| March 7th, 2014 | 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. |
| January 8th, 2014 | 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. |
| August 16th, 2013 | On August 16, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Illinois Central Division, Melissa Gustafson, former bookkeeper for International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 84110 (located in Moline, Ill. and Davenport, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $12,059 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 16, 2013, Gustafson was indicted for the same charge. The sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2013. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| June 28th, 2013 | On June 28, 2013, in the United States District Court Central District of Illinois, Natasha J. Bever, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4202 (located in Rantoul, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $117,378, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 10, 2012, Bever was indicted on the same charge. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. |
| June 20th, 2013 | On June 20, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), were each sentenced to six months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and were ordered to pay $19,197.02 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On February 21, 2013, each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencings follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| February 21st, 2013 | On February 21, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,197.02, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| November 14th, 2012 | On November 14, 2012, in the Hennepin County Court of Minnesota, Dennis Earley, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 87140 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle over $5,000, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52, SUBD. 2(4), SUBD. 3(2). Earley was then sentenced to 10 days in a work house, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine. As a condition of probation, Earley will not be allowed to hold union office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. |
| July 27th, 2012 | On July 27, 2012, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Essex County District Court, Lynda Nordyke, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 1302 (located in Lynn, Mass.), pled guilty to one count of larceny over $250, in the amount of $1,438, in violation of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 266, Section 30. Nordyke was then sentenced to 30 days of probation and was required to make restitution of $1,438. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. |
| February 6th, 2012 | On February 6, 2012, in the Polk County, Minnesota Circuit Court, Michelle Jean Nelson, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7272 (located in Erskine, Minn.), was sentenced to 45 days of confinement, 10 years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $4,634.22, a $100 fine, and $160 in special assessments and fees. On November 4, 2011, Nelson pled guilty to theft by false representation. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office and the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. |
| November 4th, 2011 | On November 4, 2011, in the Polk County, Minnesota Circuit Court, Michelle Jean Nelson, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7272 (located in Erskine, Minn.), entered an Alford plea for felony theft by false representation (between $1,000 and $5,000), in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(3). An Alford plea is a guilty plea where the defendant does not admit the act and asserts innocence, but admits that sufficient evidence exists with which the prosecution could likely convince a judge or jury to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office and OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. |
| May 9th, 2011 | On May 9, 2011, in the Syracuse City Court, Delores Jennings, former President of the now defunct Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81321 (Syracuse, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to make restitution of $2,479. On February 28, 2011, Jennings pled guilty to falsifying business records in the second degree. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office and the Syracuse Police Department. |
| March 25th, 2011 | On March 25, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, James Drury, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3121 (located in Hialeah, Fla.), was sentenced to 24 months incarceration followed by three years supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $186,757.53 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 11, 2011, Drury pled guilty to a one-charge information for embezzling union funds between December 2005 and March 2009 in the amount of $306,757.53. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. |
| February 28th, 2011 | On February 28, 2011, in the Syracuse City Court, Delores Jennings, former President of the now terminated CWA Local 81321 (located in Syracuse, N.Y.), pled guilty to falsification of business records in the second degree. Jennings was previously charged with Grand Larceny in the fourth degree and falsifying business records in the first degree in the same court on October 18, 2010. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation conducted by the Syracuse City Police and the OLMS Buffalo District Office. |
| January 11th, 2011 | On January 11, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, James Drury, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3121 (located in Hialeah, Fla.), pled guilty to a one-charge information for embezzling union funds between December 2005 and March 2009 in the amount of $306,757.53. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2011. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office (Atlanta District Office) and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. |
| October 20th, 2010 | On October 20, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Gilbert Woods, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84768 (located in Kettering, OH), was sentenced to five years probation and six months house arrest. He was ordered to pay restitution of $25,465, which included $20,000 to Travelers Insurance and $5,465 to the union. He was also ordered to pay a special assessment of $25. On July 21, 2010, Woods pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. |
| August 5th, 2010 | On August 5, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Antonio Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 38187 (located in Erie, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,767.40. The plea follows an investigation by the Pittsburgh District Office. |
| July 21st, 2010 | On July 21, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Gilbert Woods, former President of Communications Workers (CWA) Local 84-768 (located in Kettering, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. |
| April 23rd, 2010 | On April 23, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Lawrence DeAngelis, former Administrator/Trustee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in excess of $60,000. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office. |
| April 21st, 2010 | On April 21, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in an amount between $200,000 and $400,000. On December 14, 2009, Mitchell was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $200,000. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office. |
| April 8th, 2010 | On April 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Sherrell Mitchell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 86823 (located in St. Louis Mo.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, 200 hours of community service and five years of probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $110,139.12 and a $100 special assessment. On January 5, 2010, Mitchell pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| January 5th, 2010 | On January 5, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Sherrell Mitchell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 86823 (located in St. Louis Mo.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $110,000. Mitchell then pled guilty to the charge. This charge and plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| October 26th, 2009 | On October 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release, ordered to pay the remaining amount of restitution owed ($9,991.86) within 30 days of the judgment and pay a $125 special assessment. On June 10, 2009, Woods had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| August 3rd, 2009 | On August 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael R. Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On August 12, 2008, Rhoades was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,001.86 between June 2006 and November 2006. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. |
| June 10th, 2009 | On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| May 18th, 2009 | On May 18, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of incarceration (suspended), placed on probation for a period of one year, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,759.55 and fined $25. On April 3, 2009, Welch pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| April 3rd, 2009 | On April 3, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. On March 4, 2009, Welch was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $1,000 and $20,000. The plea and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| February 23rd, 2009 | On February 23, 2009, in the Superior Court of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Michael West, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84845 (located in Evansville, Indiana), pled guilty to one count of conversion. West previously made full restitution in the amount of $650.Subsequently, West was sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended) and a fine of $20 plus court costs. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. |
| July 10th, 2008 | On July 10, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Betty Illig, former Secretary-Treasurer of Graphic Communications Workers Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council (located in Poland, Ohio), was sentenced to five years supervised release to include one year home confinement with electronic monitoring, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and pay restitution in the amount of $145,675. On February 8, 2008, Illig pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount and submitting false Form LM-3 reports. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. |
| February 8th, 2008 | On February 8, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Betty Illig, former Secretary-Treasurer for Graphic Communications Workers Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council, pled guilty to embezzling $145,675 in union funds and submitting false Form LM-3 reports. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General. |
| February 6th, 2008 | On February 6, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise Nichols, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050, was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. On October 12, 2007, Nichols pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20. Nichols had previously paid restitution in the amount of $6,162. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| October 18th, 2007 | On October 18, 2007, in the Justice Court of Copiah County, Mississippi, Luke Funchess, Roger Hartley, Charles Funchess, Patricia West-Benson and Jack Virgil, former officers of IUE/CWA Local 83-799, were charged with one count of obtaining signature or thing of value with intent to defraud. The former officers filed false lost time vouchers to obtain funds from the local. Subsequently, the former officers each pled guilty to the offense and were ordered to pay court fees and restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. |
| October 12th, 2007 | On October 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise Nichols, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050 in Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20. On August 31, 2007, Nichols was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| June 22nd, 2007 | On June 22, 2007, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former Regional Administrator of CWA District 7, was sentenced to 500 hours of community service to be completed within three years and a term of probation to expire at the completion of the community service. On March 13, 2007, Dorsey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $22,798.29. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| March 28th, 2007 | On March 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William Dowdell and Tom Honold, former President and Secretary-Treasurer , respectively, for Communications Workers, Local 23 were sentenced for making false entries in union financial records. Dowdell was sentenced to one year of probation and a $1,000 fine. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $3,192.99 to the CWA International. Honold was sentenced to two years of probation, three months of which is house arrest. He was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $4,458.56 to the CWA International and a $1,000 fine. The $1,000 fine was waived because Honold provided proof that he was financially unable to pay it. On December 5, 2006, Dowdell and Honold each pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union financial records. |
| March 22nd, 2007 | On March 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Tammara Schultz, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 4101, was sentenced to two years probation, including six months of home confinement for making false entries in the union's financial records. Shultz was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $22,499.93. On December 14, 2006, she pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| March 13th, 2007 | On March 13, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former CWA District Seven Regional Administrator, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. Dorsey embezzled $22,798.29 from the union by submitting approximately 200 fraudulent restaurant receipts with his expense vouchers and receiving reimbursements based on those receipts. On January 26, 2007, Dorsey was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| February 27th, 2007 | On February 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Penny Suddith, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Union #14426 in Peoria, IL, was sentenced to six months of home confinement followed by three years of probation. Suddith was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $18,906.88. On November 14, 2006, Suddith pled guilty to one count of filing false reports. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. |
| February 1st, 2007 | On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judy Cary, former Office Manager for CWA Local 6127, was sentenced to five years probation, three months home confinement, and 300 hours of community service. Cary was ordered to pay a $7500 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $25,267 in restitution. On August 31, 2006, Cary pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. |
| December 14th, 2006 | On December 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Felix A. Robinson, former President of the Industrial Division of IUE-CWA Local 84101, was sentenced to three years probations and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,684.23 and pay a special assessment of $100. On September 21, 2006, Robinson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. |
| December 14th, 2006 | On December 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Tammara Schultz, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 4101, pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of approximately $22,500 in union funds. On November 20, 2006, an information was filed against Schultz charging her with one count of making false entries in the union's financial records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. |
| December 5th, 2006 | On December 5, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William Dowdell and Tom Honold, former President and Secretary-Treasurer , respectively, for Communications Workers, Local 23 each pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union financial records. Dowdell agreed to make restitution to the union in the amount of $3,200. Honold agreed to make restitution to the union in the amount of $4,458.56 . On November 16, 2005, Dowdell was charged with one count of making false entries to conceal embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. On November 29, 2006, Honold was charged with one count of making false entries to conceal his embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The guilty pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. |
| November 21st, 2006 | On November 21, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Lois A. Carter, former Treasurer of the Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 84101, was sentenced to one year probation, 30 hours community service, and a $25 special assessment for willful failure to maintain union records. On August 10, 2006, Carter pled guilty to the same charge. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. |
| September 21st, 2006 | On September 21, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Felix A. Robinson, former President of the Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA), Local 84101, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,684.23. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. |
| August 10th, 2006 | On August 10, 2006 Lois Carter, former treasurer of CWA-IUE Local 84101, signed an agreement to plead guilty to willfully failing to maintain records providing the necessary basic information and data to verify, explain, clarify, and check the accuracy and completeness of the local's Form LM-3 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2003. On the same date, an information was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin charging Carter. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. |
| June 29th, 2006 | On June 29, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Roy Jones, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 3450, was sentenced to three years probation, including ten months home detention with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay $64,021 in restitution to the local. On March 31, 2006, Jones pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $66,222.30. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. |
| March 20th, 2006 | On March 20, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Beverly Jackson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 7901, pled guilty to a superseding information charging her with one count of concealing and withholding records required to be maintained by a labor organization. Jackson was then sentenced to five months of home confinement and five years probation and was ordered to pay restitution to the union in the amount of $33,457.65. On November 23, 2004, Jackson was indicted on three counts of embezzling union funds totaling $33,457.65. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. |
| March 14th, 2006 | On March 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Tina Buracker, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 82174, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On October 5, 2005, Buracker was indicted for embezzling union funds totaling $54,679.38. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| November 18th, 2005 | On November 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jeri Russell, former office secretary for Communications Workers Local 36047, was sentenced to three years probation. As a special condition of probation, Russell was ordered to pay $7,933.44 in restitution. Russell pled guilty on August 18, 2005, to one count of making a false entry in a union record. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| August 18th, 2005 | On August 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Jeri Russell, former office secretary for Communications Workers Local 36047, pled guilty to a one count information that was filed on July 15, 2005, of making a false entry in a required record. Sentencing was set for November 3, 2005. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| July 18th, 2005 | On July 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Bernard Scheller, former secretary-treasurer for Local 14448, Communications Workers, was sentenced to six months in a half-way house, two years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On May 16, 2005, Scheller pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling $7,250 in union funds. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. |
| January 19th, 2005 | On January 19, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Glen Johnson, former president of Local 3140, CWA, was sentenced to 12 months probation and 150 hours of community service. Johnson was ordered to make restitution of $24,897.60, pay a fine of $5,000, and pay a special court assessment of $50. On November 9, 2004, Johnson entered a guilty plea to one count of failure to disclose a material fact in a report following an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. |
| January 13th, 2005 | On January 13, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Pearson, former secretary-treasurer of Local 3550, Communications Workers of America, was sentenced to three years probation. Pearson had previously made restitution in the amount of $28,686 to the union. He pled guilty to embezzlement on October 15, 2004, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. |
| November 9th, 2004 | On November 9, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Glenn Johnson, former president of CWA Local 3140, Communications Workers (CWA), pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with making a false statement of material fact in a report required to be filed under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. |
| May 17th, 2004 | On May 17, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jeffery Henson, former secretary-treasurer of Graphic Communications Workers Local 42-C, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $98,000 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. |
| February 23rd, 2004 | On February 23, 2004, in United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Efrain C. Tulier, former secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America Local 2185, was sentenced for embezzlement. He was granted a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines for extraordinary family circumstances. Tulier was ordered to serve one year probation with six months of home detention and to pay restitution in the amount of $41,456. On September 15, 2003, he entered a guilty plea following an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| November 12th, 2003 | On November 12, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ana Lorena Phillips, former secretary-treasurer for Communications Workers of America Local 3974, was sentenced to five months imprisonment followed by five months of home confinement and three years of supervised probation. Additionally, Phillips was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,678.79. On May 13, 2003, Phillips pled guilty to two counts of a five count indictment charging her with embezzlement and making false entries in union records. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. |
| October 6th, 2003 | On October 6, 2003, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Vashone Wimbush, former treasurer for CWA Local 2381, was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours of community service for embezzling $5,070 in union funds. On July 21, 2003, Wimbush pled guilty following an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| September 15th, 2003 | On September 15, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Efrain C. Tulier, former secretary and treasurer of the Communications Workers of America Local 2185, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The plea was based on the indictment amount of $13,467. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| July 21st, 2003 | On July 21, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Vashone Wimbush, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 2381, pled guilty to Second Degree Theft for her embezzlement of $5,070 in union funds. This guilty plea followed an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. |
| November 15th, 2002 | On November 15, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Mary Anderson, former treasurer of Communications Workers Local 9417, was sentenced to prison for twelve months and a day, plus twelve months of probation, and was ordered to make restitution of $89,422.58. On July 19, 2002, Anderson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The charge was brought following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. |
| July 19th, 2002 | On July 19, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Mary Dolores Anderson, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 9417, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds and agreed to make full restitution of up to $89,422.58. She had been indicted on September 28, 2000, following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. |
| May 30th, 2002 | On May 30, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jimmy Reed, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 3295, pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with false recordkeeping. He was sentenced to six months home confinement to run concurrently with six months probation. The charges had been brought on April 18, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. |
| April 23rd, 2002 | On April 23, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Bobby Ray Putnam, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 14708, was sentenced to five years probation, including six months in home detention with electronic monitoring , and was ordered to make restitution of $18,026.95. He had earlier pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office. |
| April 8th, 2002 | On April 8, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Leonard Duge, former vice president of Communications Workers Local 53, pled guilty to making false entries in union records. He was sentenced to 24 months of unsupervised probation. He had previously made full restitution to the union of $22,137.66. The charges had been brought on March 5, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office. |
| October 19th, 2001 | On October 19, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Ogg, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 7401, was sentenced to four months imprisonment and two months home confinement to be followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and to make restitution of $65,285. She had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds on August 1, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |
| August 1st, 2001 | On August 1, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Ogg, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 7401, pled guilty to an information charging her with embezzling $67,637 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. |