embezzlement charges

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
March 28th, 2023	On March 28, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Ahakuelo was also ordered to pay $7,967 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, $4,692 in forfeiture, and a $4,600 special assessment. On November 21, 2022, Ahakuelo was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of one count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and three counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo and her husband, Brian Ahakuelo, former IBEW Local 1260 Business Manager/Financial Secretary, rigged a vote to increase membership dues after largely depleting the unions coffers. The fraudulent vote caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over 18 months. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
December 21st, 2022	On December 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to five counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
December 21st, 2022	On December 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, former Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzlement of union funds, one count of theft from an employee benefit plan, and one count of filing false federal income tax returns, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 26 U.S.C 7206(1), respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
December 19th, 2022	On December 19, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to six counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
November 21st, 2022	On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, 19 counts of money laundering, and 6 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1957, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo engaged in a conspiracy to divert union funds and property by hiring family members at inflated salaries (some of whom did little or no actual work for the union) and authorized the use of union funds for personal travel, a vehicle, and dining expenditures. After largely depleting the unions coffers, Ahakuelo, with the help of his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, and other union employees, rigged a vote to increase membership dues. The fraudulent election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over about 18 months. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 21st, 2022	On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and 3 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 2nd, 2021	On November 2, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $243,003 and one count of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 13th, 2020	On November 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first six months on a curfew with location monitoring. He was also ordered to pay $9,317 in restitution. On March 6, 2020, Johnson pleaded guilty to 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.
March 6th, 2020	On March 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was charged and pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $9,317, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 22nd, 2019	On August 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted for conspiracy (1 count), wire fraud (42 counts), money laundering (20 counts), and embezzlement of union funds (6 counts), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1343, and 1957, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo engaged in a conspiracy to divert union funds and property by hiring family members at inflated salaries (some of whom did little or no actual work for the union) and authorized the use of union funds for personal travel, a vehicle, and dining expenditures. After largely depleting the unionÄôs coffers, Ahakuelo, with the help of his wife, Marilyn; his sister-in-law, Jennifer Estencion; and other union employees, rigged a vote to increase membership dues. The false election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over about 18 months. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
August 22nd, 2019	On August 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted for conspiracy (1 count), wire fraud (42 counts), and embezzlement of union funds (3 counts), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 & 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 34 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), 23 counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful payments from an employer (18 U.S.C. 371), eight counts of accepting unlawful payments from an employer (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(2),(b)(1) & (d)(2)), one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 11 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), and one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), and five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), three counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), one count of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), and one count of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and six counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), five counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and five counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 29th, 2019	On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Anthony Massa, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from employee pension fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (18 U.S.C. 1001). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
February 20th, 2018	On February 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, the former office manager and bookkeeper of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was sentenced to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $307,562.54 and a $100 special assessment. On November 13, 2017, DeBoer 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 Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 13th, 2017	On November 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $307,563, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
May 9th, 2017	On May 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling approximately $307,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
December 15th, 2016	On December 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,344 and a $100 special assessment. On October 5, 2016, Cruise pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 13th, 2016	On October 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation. Humphrey was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,811 and a $100 special assessment. On January 26, 2016, Humphrey pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 5th, 2016	On October 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,344, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 23rd, 2016	On August 23, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The investigation disclosed that from July 2008 through February 2012, Scott embezzled $66,954 from the union, by incurring $48,534 in unauthorized personal expenses using the unionÄôs two credit cards, and collecting an additional $18,420 in unauthorized union checks written to himself. Payments to the unionÄôs credit card company for the personal expenses were made using the postal service. The investigation also revealed that Scott filed false LM-2 reports for fiscal years ending June 30, 2009 through June 30, 2011 in an attempt to cover up the embezzlement. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
August 16th, 2016	On August 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,750, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 26th, 2016	On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Humphrey then pled guilty to the charge. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 19th, 2015	On October 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
October 13th, 2015	On October 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Robin Pirrello, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1637 (located in Erie, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $22,184 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.
January 16th, 2015	On January 16, 2015, 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.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $340,267 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2014, Shaffer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
January 16th, 2015	On January 16, 2015, 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.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $340,267 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2014, Shaffer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
April 23rd, 2014	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.
April 3rd, 2014	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.
January 15th, 2014	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.
December 18th, 2013	On December 18, 2013, 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.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $101,059, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
December 11th, 2013	On December 11, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $158,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
November 15th, 2013	On November 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), was charged in an information for embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $158,150, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
June 1st, 2013	On June 1, 2013, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 in Beaver, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 months of home detention, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,285. The court ruled that the restitution should include the $19,800 in auditing fees incurred by the union after considering the victim impact statement and the financial losses to the union. In February 2013, Small pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $55,485. The investigation disclosed that Small embezzled the money using a variety of methods: petty cash, extra salary checks, unauthorized health care reimbursements, and a complicated receipts scheme.
February 25th, 2013	On February 25, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 (located in Beaver, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in excess of $10,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
October 3rd, 2012	On October 3, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was sentenced to 10 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $27,321.63 in restitution, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On June 28, 2012, Irwin pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $47,096, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
September 13th, 2012	On September 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby M. Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 assessment. Stegner paid full restitution in the amount of $41,321.25 on the day of sentencing. On May 30, 2012, Stegner pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
June 5th, 2012	On June 5, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 (located in Beaver, Pa.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling in excess of $10,000 of the monies, funds, property and assets of a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
May 30th, 2012	On May 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,321.25. Stegner was charged on May 16, 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
May 16th, 2012	On May 16, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, an information was filed charging Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), with one count of embezzling union funds totaling more than $41,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The information alleges that Stegner embezzled $41,861 in union money by failing to deposit funds and stealing cash she received from union members for dues and other items. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
May 1st, 2012	On May 1, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $47,096. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
November 17th, 2011	On November 17, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Michael Williams, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,826 and a $100 special assessment. On March 23, 2011, Williams was indicted on 10 counts of embezzlement totaling $4,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and four counts of making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). On June 8, 2011, Williams pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 25th, 2011	On October 25, 2011, in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, Leonard Carman, former Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1142 (located in Virginia Beach, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of less than $200, in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-111. Carman was then sentenced to one year in prison, all of which was suspended, two years of supervision, and 50 hours of community service. Carman had previously made restitution of $3,118. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
August 3rd, 2011	On August 3, 2011, in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, Leonard Carman, former Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1142 (located in Norfolk, Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of Virginia Code, Section 18.2-111. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
May 10th, 2011	On May 10, 2011, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Florence Division, Robin A. Mills, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1591 (located in Conway, S.C.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $49,287.88, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
March 23rd, 2011	On March 23, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Michael Williams, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), was indicted on 10 counts of embezzlement totaling $4,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and four counts of making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 4th, 2010	On October 4, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, the former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 1919 (located in Pittsburgh, PA), was sentenced to two years probation for each of the two counts (to run concurrently) and six months home detention, and ordered to pay restitution of $35,057 and a $100 count assessment. Carrola pled guilty on June 1, 2010 to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057 and to falsifying union records. Full restitution has been made to the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Pittsburgh District Office.
August 30th, 2010	On August 30, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Jimmie Leo Miles, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1023 (located in Barstow, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. Miles was previously ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $93,284 to the union and $14,466 to the Internal Revenue Service. On June 21, 2010 Miles plead guilty to embezzling union funds and filing a false tax return. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Los Angeles District Office.
June 21st, 2010	On June 21, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Jimmie Leo Miles, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1023 (Barstow, Calif.), pled embezzling union funds and filing a false tax return. As part of his plea, Miles must pay $93,284 in restitution to the union and $14,466 to the IRS, file amended tax returns, and pay the cost of prosecution. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
June 1st, 2010	On June 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1919 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057 and falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
February 8th, 2010	On February 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a special assessment of $100. Williams had previously made full restitution to the local in the amount of $9,554.14. On October 28, 2009, Williams pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
January 13th, 2010	On January 13, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, James L. Miles, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1023 (located in Barstow, Calif.), was charged in a 12-count indictment with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $93,273, nine counts of mail fraud, and two counts of making false statements on the union’s annual financial reports. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
October 28th, 2009	On October 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. On September 17, 2009, Williams was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
September 17th, 2009	On September 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
July 15th, 2009	On July 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Hernandez, former Secretary Treasurer and former Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) Director of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60 (located in San Antonio, Texas), was charged in a one count indictment with embezzling funds from an employee benefit plan. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
July 7th, 2009	On July 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1919 was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057.70 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
March 18th, 2008	On March 18, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manager and Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local Union 163, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, two years probation (to include six months in home confinement), fined $4000 and ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100. On September 11, 2007, Capece pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. Capece had previously made restitution of the full amount, plus any other costs associated with his crime. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
December 13th, 2007	On December 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former President and Business Manager of IBEW Local 2344, was sentenced to one year probation and a $100 special assessment. On August 28, 2007, Sharp pled guilty to one count of embezzling $630 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
October 5th, 2007	On October 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 1768, was sentenced to two years probation for embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,619. Ehlis had previously made restitution of the full amount. On May 17, 2007, Ehlis was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
September 11th, 2007	On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manger/Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local 163 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. On September 4, 2007, Capece was charged with knowingly and willfully embezzling union funds in the same amount. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
August 28th, 2007	On August 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former Business Manager of IBEW Local 2, pled guilty to one count of embezzling, stealing, and willfully converting to his own use $630 of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 4th, 2007	On June 4, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Kenneth H. Mays, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 1053, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,197. On January 16, 2007, Mays pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor organization funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
May 17th, 2007	On May 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Thomas R. Ehlis, former Financial Secretary of IBEW Local 1769, was charged with one count of embezzlement of union assets in the amount of $5,619.90. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
February 21st, 2007	On February 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Connie Jacobs, former office manager for IBEW Local 495, was sentenced to twelve months and one day incarceration to be followed by three years probation. Jacobs was ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100 and pay restitution in the amount of $119,431.56. On November 14, 2006, Jacobs pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
January 8th, 2007	On January 8, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, was sentenced to six-month confinement followed by 150 days of home detention, and three-years supervised release. Stark was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,376.89 plus an additional $26,783.64 in investigative costs incurred by the local. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
November 15th, 2006	On November 15, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Kenneth Howell Mays, former Treasurer for IBEW Local 1053, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,197.50 for writing unauthorized checks to himself from union accounts. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
November 9th, 2006	On November 9, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $50,377. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
October 5th, 2006	On October 5, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jerieka Ward, former Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Local 998, was sentenced to three years probation with six months home detention and ordered to make restitution to the local in the amount of $24,118.97. On July 6, 2006, Ward pled guilty to embezzling $46,708.97 from the union and filing a false report. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
September 7th, 2006	On September 7, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former Office Manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 31, was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $50,376.89. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
April 26th, 2006	On April 26, 2006 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jerieka Ward, former Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,Local 998, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $46,708.97 and one count of filing a false report with the Department of Labor. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
April 6th, 2006	On April 6, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Gary W. Cope, former Business Manager for Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Lodge 196, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $56,672. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 23rd, 2004	On April 23, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16, pled guilty to two counts of embezzling $26,804 in union funds. On the same day, he was sentenced to ten months imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently and two years supervised release for each count, also to be served concurrently. In addition, Collins was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $26,804 and assessed $200. He had been indicted on May 22, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 10th, 2003	On September 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16 in Evansville, Indiana, filed a petition to enter a plea of guilty and plea agreement. Under the agreement, Collins agreed to plead guilty to two counts of embezzling $26,804 in union funds; Collins must also make full restitution to the union. The remaining two counts of the indictment charging Collins with falsification of union records will be dismissed. Collins was indicted on May 22, 2002, following a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office and the FBI.
July 11th, 2003	On July 11, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Steve Morris, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 109, was sentenced to 6 months of home detention and 4 years probation. He previously made restitution of $84,485. In addition, Morris was ordered to undergo rehabilitation and to pay a $3,000 fine. He was previously charged with embezzling $68,017.35 in union funds on January 29, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Morris pled guilty to the charge on February 10, 2003.
June 26th, 2003	On June 26, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Debra Dougherty, former office secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers LU 648, pled guilty to bank fraud after being indicted on February 5, 2003, for embezzling $41,829.95 in union funds and bank fraud in the amount of $7,030.40 following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
June 10th, 2003	On June 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former secretary-treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 533, was sentenced to six months home confinement on electronic monitoring and five years supervised release. He was also fined $100 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,450. He pled guilty to embezzling $14,450 in union funds on February 20, 2003 following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
February 20th, 2003	On February 20, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 533 in Berwyn, Illinois, pled guilty to embezzling $14,450 in union funds between May 1997 and June 1999 (a change of plea). King was charged on January 24, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
February 5th, 2003	On February 5, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the grand jury returned a two count indictment against Debra Dougherty, former office secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 648. The indictment charges Dougherty with one count of embezzlement of $41,829.95 in union funds and one count of bank fraud in the amount of $7,030.40. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 29th, 2003	On January 29, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Stephen E. Morris, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 109 in Rock Island, Illinois, was charged with embezzling $68,017.35 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
January 24th, 2003	On January 24, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 533, was charged with embezzling $14,450 in union funds. An agreement has been reached in which King indicates he will plead guilty at a hearing scheduled on February 13. The charge was brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
December 18th, 2002	On December 18, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, a plea agreement was filed in which Robert "Blackie" Emery, Sr., former secretary-treasurer for Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 429, pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $5,200 from Local 429 and one count of failure to file a required officer report, Form LM-30. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
November 8th, 2002	On November 8, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Michael E. Koehler, former business manager of Local 965 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), pled guilty to embezzling $135,197.75 in union funds. Koehler submitted false claims for the reimbursement of monies he claimed he had given to union members' families at funerals, for mileage and meal expenses that were never incurred, and for overtime he never worked. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
October 24th, 2002	On October 24, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, an information was filed charging Michael E. Koehler, former business manager of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Local 965, with embezzling union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
October 10th, 2002	On October 10, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Barbara Monfre, administrator of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, Elevator Division Retirement Plan, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $314,547.49. She had been arraigned on March 22, 2002, on charges of embezzling approximately $289,000 in benefit plan funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
May 22nd, 2002	On May 22, 2002 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16, was indicted on one count of embezzling $25,370 from the Local's Target Fund, one count of embezzling $1,434.50 in local dues money, and two counts of falsifying union records. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 22nd, 2002	On March 22, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Barbra Monfre, administrator of the Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 3, Elevator Division Retirement Plan, was arraigned on charges of embezzling approximately $289,000 in benefit plan funds. The charges were brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
May 11th, 2001	On May 11, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Robert Emery, Sr. former financial secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 429, was indicted on three counts of embezzling a total of $16,851 in union funds and two counts of failure to file Form LM-30, Labor Organization Officer and Employee Report, relating to transactions the union conducted with a T-shirt business owned by his wife. His wife was charged in one count of the indictment with aiding and abetting him in embezzling $5,340 for her personal benefit. Terri Myatt, Local 429 office manager, was also charged in one count of the indictment with aiding and abetting Mr. Emery in embezzling $5,818 for her personal benefit. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
May 4th, 2001	On May 4, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Britt Commons, former business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1523, entered a plea of guilty to falsifying union records to conceal an embezzlement of $8,025 in union funds. The charges had been brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.