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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.

DateDescription
March 16th, 2023On March 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), 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 Dallas- New Orleans District Office.
March 9th, 2023On March 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Denise Richardson, former Secretary Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. She also was ordered to pay $51,657 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 2, 2022, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
February 17th, 2023On February 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Lisa Bennett, former Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 204 (located in Pascagoula, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $33,236 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
February 9th, 2023On February 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The government contends in the plea agreement that Toppert converted SPFPA money and assets with a total approximate value of $63,713 to his personal use. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.
January 17th, 2023On January 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Albert Jennings Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge 6061 (located in Roanoke, Va.), was sentenced to six months in prison, three months of home detention, one year of probation, and 300 hours of community service. Jennings was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. Jennings made full restitution of $39,331 prior to sentencing. On September 29, 2022, Jennings pleaded 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 Washington District Office.
December 22nd, 2022On December 22, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Glenn Lovelace, former Financial Secretary/Business Manager of Insulators Local 114 (located in Brandon, Miss.), was sentenced to 18 months of confinement at a Bureau of Prisons facility followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $63,710 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 11, 2022, Lovelace pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District office.
December 20th, 2022On December 20, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Richard DiArenzo, former Secretary-Treasurer of Independent Spectrum Workers Union (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of making false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
November 28th, 2022On November 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Douglas Kelley, former Secretary Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 7750 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $18,011 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On July 25, 2022, Kelley pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 14th, 2022On November 14, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, James Darin Boatman, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 617 (located in Fort Madison, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $74,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
November 2nd, 2022On November 2, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Denise Richardson, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
November 1st, 2022On November 1, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a non-jury trial of two counts of embezzling union funds and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office and the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations.
September 29th, 2022On September 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division, Albert Jennings, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge 6061 (located in Roanoke, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $39,331 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
August 11th, 2022On August 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Glenn Lovelace, former business manager for Insulators Local 114 (located in Brandon, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 25th, 2022On July 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Douglas Kelley, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 7750 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $18,011 from his union. He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
July 25th, 2022On July 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Peggy Garrow, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3496 (located in Marquette, Mich.), was sentenced to one day in jail (with credit for time served) and one year of probation. Garrow was also ordered to pay a $300 fine and a $25 special assessment fee. She previously paid $6,953 in restitution before the sentencing. On April 28, 2022, Garrow pleaded guilty to one count of willfully falsifying a labor organization annual report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
July 14th, 2022On July 14, 2022, in United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Jesus Jose Mendez, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island businessman and employer/owner of two construction industry companies (one unionized and one non-union) was sentenced to three years of probation, the first 52 weekends to be served in detention. On April 7, 2022, Mendez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1343, respectively. Mendez was ordered to pay restitution totaling $2,821,463 to the Internal Revenue Service and $62,730 to the Massachusetts Department of Labor. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.
June 27th, 2022On June 27, 2022, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Joshua Fernandes, former Treasurer of the New Bedford Police Union (NBPU) (located in New Bedford, Mass.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release, the first six months of which will consist of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay $47,851 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 13, 2021, Fernandes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
June 9th, 2022On June 9, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, George Bindas Jr., former President of International Longshoremens Association (ILA) Local 1295 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and two years of probation. Bindas was also ordered to pay $219,999 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. On January 21, 2022, Bindas pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds and one count of theft from an employee welfare benefit plan, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
April 28th, 2022On April 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Peggy Garrow, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3496 (located in Marquette, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of willfully falsifying a labor organization annual report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
April 7th, 2022On April 7, 2022, in the United States District Court, District of Rhode Island, Jesus Jose Mendez, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island businessman (an employer/owner of two construction industry companies one unionized and one non-union), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.
March 30th, 2022On March 30, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Peter Burns, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 5632 (located in Fontana, Calif.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Burns was also ordered to pay $24,619 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 13, 2021, Burns 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 Los Angeles District Office.
March 22nd, 2022On March 22, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Earl Roberts, former President of Steelworkers Local 2-4 (formally located in Yale, Mich., now disbanded), was sentenced to 30 months of probation including six months of home confinement. Roberts was also ordered to pay $45,916 in restitution and a $300 special assessment. On November 30, 2021, Roberts pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
March 18th, 2022On March 18, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Defense Protective Service Labor Committee (located in Arlington, Va.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $384,001 in restitution. On March 25, 2021, Penn pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.>
March 11th, 2022On March 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James Michael Foote, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-137 (located in Manchester, Tenn.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. Foote was also ordered to pay $86,268 in restitution and a $100 fine. On October 19, 2021, Foote pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
March 8th, 2022On March 8, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, Nintay Edwards, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 8-694 (located in Richmond, Va.), was sentenced to 12 months of home detention and five years of probation. Edwards was also ordered to pay $66,684 in restitution. On October 14, 2021, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $66,684 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
March 3rd, 2022On March 3, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brian Walker, former Vice President of International Longshoremens Association (ILA) Local 1504 (located in Galveston, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and five years of probation, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $38,237 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On December 3, 2021, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
February 2nd, 2022On February 2, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Linda Carter Shepherd, former Financial Secretary for Steelworkers Local 14637 (located in Hazard, Ky.), was sentenced to three months of home detention and five years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $39,491 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On June 21, 2021, Shepherd pleaded 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 Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
January 21st, 2022On January 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, George Bindas Jr., former President of International Longshoremens Association (ILA) Local 1295 (formerly located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $1,751 and one count of theft from an employee welfare benefit plan in the amount of $18,319, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively. The plea agreement stipulates that $220,000 is a reasonable estimate of the actual and intended loss for both crimes. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
December 3rd, 2021On December 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brian Walker, former Vice President of International Longshoremens Association (ILA) Local 1504-8 (located in Galveston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of false entries, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
December 1st, 2021On December 1, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Anthony F. Rockman, former Secretary Treasurer of Textile Workers Local 1 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to five months in prison and five months of home confinement, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On July 16, 2021, Rockman pleaded guilty to a one-count information for obstruction of justice (destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations and bankruptcy), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1519. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
November 30th, 2021On November 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Earl Roberts, former President of United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial Service Workers International Union (USW) Local 4 (formerly located in Yale, Mich., now disbanded), pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $45,916, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
November 17th, 2021On November 17, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Steven Whittick, former Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was sentenced to serve 28 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $179,766 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. On July 16, 2021, Whittick pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of false statements to federal investigators, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1001, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
October 19th, 2021On October 19, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James Michael Foote, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-137 (located in Manchester, Tenn.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in the amount of $86,268, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
October 14th, 2021On October 14, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, Nintay Edwards, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 694 (located in Richmond, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $66,684 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
October 13th, 2021On October 13, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joshua Fernandes, former Treasurer of the New Bedford Police Union (located in New Bedford, Mass.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud of union funds totaling $48,631, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
October 4th, 2021On October 4, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rachel Marie Gleason, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1700 (located in Perris, Calif.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $10,698 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On June 30, 2021, Gleason 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 Los Angeles District Office.
September 23rd, 2021On September 23, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Trey Huffty, former President of United Steelworkers Local 13-1731 (located in White Hall, Ark.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 150 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $37,367 in restitution. On April 6, 2021, Huffty 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.
September 3rd, 2021On September 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Hasan Zahdeh, former President of Michigan Union of Healthcare Workers (located in Muskegon, Mich.), was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $140,498 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 13, 2021, Zahdeh 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 Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
August 18th, 2021On August 18, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Scott Merritt, former Treasurer of Ironworkers Local 470 (located in Jamestown, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $50,850 and a $100 special assessment. On April 22, 2021, Merritt 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 13th, 2021On August 13, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Peter Burns, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 5632 (located in Fontana, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $1,137, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
July 22nd, 2021On July 22, 2021, in the United States District Court of the Central District of California, Aja Jasmin, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 350-C (located in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), was sentenced to 28 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay $185,000 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On October 30, 2020, Jasmin pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
July 16th, 2021On July 16, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Anthony F. Rockman, Secretary Treasurer of Textile Workers Local 1 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), pleaded guilty to a one-count information for obstruction of justice (destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations and bankruptcy), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1519. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
July 16th, 2021On July 16, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Steven Whittick, former Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of false statements to federal investigators, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1001, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation.
July 15th, 2021On July 15, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Kurt Kittleson, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 151D (located in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. Prior to sentencing, Kittleson paid restitution in the amount of $19,800. On April 22, 2021, Kittleson pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
July 8th, 2021On July 8, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of United Steelworkers Local 145 (located in Sapulpa, Okla.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $19,900 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 8, 2021, Burkhart 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 30th, 2021On June 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rachel Marie Gleason, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1700 (located in Perris, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
June 28th, 2021On June 28, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Linda Carter Shepherd, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 14637 (located in Hazard, Ky.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information of embezzlement of union funds totaling $39,492, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
May 26th, 2021On May 26, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of electronically monitored home confinement and 24 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $40,455 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 12, 2021, Rogers 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 New York District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
April 22nd, 2021On April 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Kurt Kittleson, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 151D (located in Rancho Palos Verde, 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 charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
April 22nd, 2021On April 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Scott Merritt, former Financial Secretary of Ironworkers Local 470 (located in Jamestown, N.Y.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $50,850, 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.
April 20th, 2021On April 20, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Jennifer Rogers, former member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of electronically monitored home confinement and 24 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $40,455 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On December 1, 2020, Rogers pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
April 13th, 2021On April 13, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Hasan Zahdeh, President of Michigan Union of Healthcare Workers (MUHW), (located in Muskegon, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $140,498, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
April 8th, 2021On April 8, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of Steelworkers Local 145 (located in Sapulpa, Okla.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $19,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
April 6th, 2021On April 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Trey Huffty, former President of Steelworkers Local 1731 (located in White Hall, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,368, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Huffty then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
March 30th, 2021On March 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), was sentenced to 24 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $7,708 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On September 17, 2019, Douglas 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.
March 25th, 2021On March 25, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Pentagon Force Protection Agency (located in Arlington, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling $384,000 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 24th, 2021On March 24, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Kenneth Morris, former Treasurer of Teachers Local 2240 (located in Kentfield, Calif.), was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $101,583 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 20, 2019, Morris pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in the amount of $101,583, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
January 12th, 2021On January 12, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pleaded guilty to count one of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Between July 2016 and August 2017, Rogers daughter Jennifer Rogers, former member of AFSCME Local 2254, illegally wrote 111 checks to Linda Rogers and deposited them into their joint checking and savings account. Linda Rogers also wire transferred union funds from the unions savings account to her personal credit card. The total loss to the union was approximately $40,455. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
January 5th, 2021On January 5, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, John S. Romero, former President of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay a $1,400 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later hearing. On February 12, 2020, after a six-day trial, a jury found Romero guilty of one count of conspiracy (18. U.S.C. 371), 12 counts of theft of approximately $800,000 in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 669), and one count of filing a false financial report with the Department of Labor, in which he failed to properly report the existence of more than $100,00 in receipts and disbursements (18 U.S.C. 1001). The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
December 1st, 2020On December 1, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Jennifer Rogers, former member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pleaded guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The total loss to the union was approximately $40,455. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
October 19th, 2020On October 19, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sandra King, former President of the Federation of Police and Security (FOPS) and the former President of the Alliance of Independent Workers (AIW), both located in Owings Mills, Maryland, was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home detention, and two years of supervised probation for embezzling from both of these unions. King was also ordered to pay $57,328 in restitution. On July 21, 2020, King pleaded guilty to embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
September 30th, 2020On September 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chad Michael Waldoch, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers Local 980 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was sentenced to 30 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $50,270 and a $100 assessment. Waldoch previously paid $56,436 in restitution. On June 12, 2020, Waldoch pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $107,707, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
September 15th, 2020On September 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Travis Cofer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-990 (located in Maryville, Tenn.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Cofer was also ordered to pay $9,608 in restitution and an assessment of $100. Cofer previously paid $2,824 in restitution. On January 23, 2020, Cofer pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
September 10th, 2020On September 10, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers of America (USW) Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation including six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring. He was also ordered to pay $33,224 in restitution and a fine of $3,000. On June 9, 2020, Arnold 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 Boston-Buffalo District Office.
July 29th, 2020On July 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Tony Westly, former Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was sentenced to six months in prison and three years of probation, which includes six months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay $103,698 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 19, 2019, Westly pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement union funds, in violation of 29 U. S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
July 21st, 2020On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sandra King, former President of the Federation of Police and Security (FOPS), located in Owings Mills, Md., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling from FOPS, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). As part of the guilty plea, King also admitted to embezzling from the Alliance of Independent Workers (AIW), also located in Owings Mills, Md., where King was also president. The total loss from both of these unions was $57,328. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
July 16th, 2020On July 16, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay $4,740 restitution. On February 27, 2020, Roland pleaded guilty to one count of failure to maintain records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
July 8th, 2020On July 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Keith Ludlum, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Ludlum was ordered to pay $213,201 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. On January 28, 2020, Ludlum pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $213,201 in union funds and one count of conspiracy, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigator Office.
July 6th, 2020On July 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, Evelyn Romero, former President of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to eight months of home confinement, two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a hearing on September 8, 2020. On June 4, 2018, Romero pleaded guilty to conspiracy, embezzlement from a labor organization, and permitting persons convicted of certain crimes to hold office or employment in a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 29 U.S.C. 504(a) and (b), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
June 29th, 2020On June 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, Danae Romero, former Trustee of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to six months of electronic monitoring, two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a hearing on September 8, 2020. On March 9, 2017, Romero pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669 2(a). The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
June 22nd, 2020On June 22, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Giovinco, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $135,000 in restitution and $5,000 in forfeiture. On December 3, 2019, following a jury trial, Giovinco was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) and 18 U.S.C. 1951(a), respectively, including multiple acts impacting United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 1D and 2D (both located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), in connection with the Genovese Organized Crime Familys control of these locals. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorneys Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
June 12th, 2020On June 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chad Michael Waldoch, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 980 (located in Fargo, N.D.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $107,706, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.
June 9th, 2020On June 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $33,224, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
June 9th, 2020On June 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, John J. Romero Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of the United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to one year of home confinement with electronic monitoring, followed by two years of supervised release. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. On January 17, 2017, Romero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
May 14th, 2020On May 14, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Rhondalyn Cornett, former President of the Indianapolis Education Association (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $154,118 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. She was then sentenced to 16 months of incarceration and two years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $154,118 and a $100 special assessment. The plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.
March 9th, 2020On March 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Joshua Greer, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 9-212 (located in Jackson, Tenn.), was charged with and pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally making false statements and representation of material facts in a financial report filed with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b) and (d). Greer was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $116 in remaining restitution and a special assessment of $25. Greer previously paid $2,501 in restitution. The charge, guilty plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
February 27th, 2020On February 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), pleaded guilty to one count of failure to maintain records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
February 12th, 2020On February 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, after a six-day trial, a jury found John S. Romero, former President of United Industrial Services Worker of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 371), 12 counts of theft or embezzlement of approximately $800,000 in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 669), and one count of filing a false financial report with the Department of Labor, in which he failed to properly report the existence of more than $100,000 in receipts and disbursements (18 U.S.C. 1001). Romeros family members, who were co-defendants (son John J. Romero, former UISWA Secretary-Treasurer; daughter Danae Romero, former UISWA Trustee; and ex-wife Evelyn Romero, former UISWA President), each previously pleaded guilty to counts under the indictment and testified at trial on behalf of the government. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
January 29th, 2020On January 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay $314,178 in restitution and a $125 special assessment.  On March 28, 2019, Lum pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated identity theft and failure to file income tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1) and 26 U.S.C. 7203, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI. 
January 28th, 2020On January 28, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Keith Ludlum, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $250,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c), and conspiracy to defraud UFCW Local 1208 by unauthorized payments to friends and families, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigators Office. 
December 17th, 2019On December 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Muskegon, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $14,408. On August 27, 2019, Perez pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $14,408 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
December 4th, 2019On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Automobile Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors (GM) Department and director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources from 2010 through 2014 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations.
December 4th, 2019On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, after a six day trial, a jury found Frank Giovinco guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962. Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent DÄôAcunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and others were also charged in the same indictment as Giovinco, previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced. The verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 19th, 2019On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Tony Westly, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer of Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCMIA) Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), 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 Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 15th, 2019On November 15, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Steven Arena was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $276,500 in forfeiture. On May 31, 2019, Arena pleaded guilty to extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951(a). Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent DÄôAcunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), who were also charged in the same indictment as Arena, have previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 8th, 2019On November 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation. He was also fined $25,000. Restitution of $23,367 was previously satisfied by another individual. On May 16, 2019, Carney pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds by conspiring with, among others, the owner of an HVAC and plumbing contracting company, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
September 17th, 2019On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $6,280, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
September 17th, 2019On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation. Watson was also ordered to pay restitution of $125,443. On April 15, 2019, Watson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
September 6th, 2019On September 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1-D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On March 11, 2019, Cognetta pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
September 3rd, 2019On September 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $14,408 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.
August 30th, 2019On August 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of Stage and Picture Operators Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,786. The Court further ordered forfeiture in the amount of $16,151. Carlson previously paid $6,775 in restitution. On March 26, 2019, Carlson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $37,014 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
August 9th, 2019On August 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent DÄôAcunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On March 18, 2019, DÄôAcunto pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 22nd, 2019On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), was sentenced to six months in prison and 12 months of supervised release, of which six months will be home confinement. Matassa was also ordered to pay $33,513 in restitution to Local 711, $22,948 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and a $100 assessment. He previously paid $52,160 in restitution to the SSA. On February 26, 2019, Matassa pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the SSAÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 22nd, 2019On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Rhondalyn Cornett, former President of the Indianapolis Education Association (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information of wire fraud in a scheme to embezzle more than $100,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. She then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the USDOL OIG, the FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.
July 19th, 2019On July 19, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and $3,816,865 in forfeiture. On April 10, 2019, Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962. Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent DÄôAcunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito, previously pleaded guilty, and are awaiting sentencing. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 12th, 2019On July 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Howard Janoske, the co-owner of a HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $23,367 and a fine of $25,000. An asset forfeiture order for $92,432 was also issued. On March 1, 2019, Janoske pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international union located in Herndon, Virginia, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
June 11th, 2019On June 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Tatia Clark, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2801 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of withholding and destruction of labor records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Clark was then sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
June 3rd, 2019On June 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Joan Dutton, former President of United Steel Workers (USW) Local 2801 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of withholding and destruction of labor records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). She was then sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $500 fine and $25 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
May 31st, 2019On May 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Steven Arena pleaded guilty to an information charging him with extortion of a labor union official and a financial advisor, ranging from 2006 to 2017, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951 (a). Arena was previously indicted on January 9, 2018 and charged with racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962 and 1951. Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Vincent DÄôAcunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Arena and have previously pleaded guilty. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
May 16th, 2019On May 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371) for conspiring with, among others, the owner of a contracting company. The information charges that the contracting company provided the subject with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for Carney and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union's service agreements and maintenance contracts. With CarneyÄôs knowledge, the contracting company submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits. Carney also pleaded guilty to the charge on this date. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
April 15th, 2019On April 15, 2019, in United States District Court for Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
April 11th, 2019On April 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 TD (located in Beecher, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation. Cranston was also ordered to pay the remaining $9,999 of $28,084 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On January 17, 2019, Cranston pleaded guilty to one-count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 10th, 2019On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of the Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association (located in St. Helens, Ore.), was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $10,621 and a $25 assessment. On December 20, 2018, Burgess pleaded guilty to one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
April 10th, 2019On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962. Esposito admitted to participating in an illegal enterprise from 2001 through 2017. Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Vincent DÄôAcunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito and have previously pleaded guilty. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
April 9th, 2019On April 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home confinement, and two years of probation. Wisecarver was also ordered to pay $53,704 in restitution. On December 19, 2018, Wisecarver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
March 28th, 2019On March 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1)) and one count of failure to file income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7203). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 26th, 2019On March 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $37,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
March 18th, 2019On March 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent DÄôAcunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
March 11th, 2019On March 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. AttorneyÄôs Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
March 8th, 2019On March 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Karen Auer, a former principal of an accounting firm, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,194 in restitution. On August 3, 2018 Auer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor information for filing fraudulent returns, statements or other documents, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7207. On May 31, 2018, Auer was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), and making a false statement (18 U.S.C. 1001). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
March 7th, 2019On March 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Hawk was also ordered to pay $362,623 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 28, 2018, Hawk pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $300,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 1st, 2019On March 1, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Howard Janoske, the co-owner of an HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international labor organization located in Herndon, VA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The information charges that Janoske's company provided the union's facilities and real estate manager with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for the union manager and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union's service agreements and maintenance contracts. With the union manager's knowledge, Janoske and his subordinates submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits. Janoske then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
February 27th, 2019On February 27, 2019, in the Vermilion County, Indiana Circuit Court, Darin Kingrey, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 706 (located in Cayuga, Ind.), pleaded guilty to two counts of theft (Level 6 Felony) in the amount of $7,464, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
February 26th, 2019On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao, the managing partner of an accounting firm, was sentenced to two years supervised release to include six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay $9,592 in restitution, $18,700 in forfeiture, and a $3,000 fine. On August 2, 2018, Armao pleaded guilty to an information for false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027. On May 31, 2018, Armao was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371). ArmaoÄôs clients included the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122, a small independent union located in Long Island, NY, and the affiliated United Health and Welfare Fund. Rocco Fazzolari, the former President and Fund Administrator of Local 122, previously pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced for, embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively. ArmaoÄôs false filings concealed FazzolariÄôs embezzlement. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
February 26th, 2019On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $738, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Matassa received $33,513 by issuing unauthorized union checks to his wife, and as a result, received approximately $75,108 in Old-Age Insurance Benefits to which he was not entitled. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security AdministrationÄôs Office of Inspector General.
February 25th, 2019On February 25, 2019, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, Terry Slaughter, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $62,315, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
February 8th, 2019On February 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months of home detention and 36 months of probation. Restitution was not ordered as another defendant previously paid the entire $57,000 in restitution. On May 29, 2018, Mulhall pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
January 28th, 2019On January 28, 2019, in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Fazzolari, former President of the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122 (an independent union located in Long Island, N.Y.), was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $1,288,810 in restitution. On September 26, 2018, Fazzolari pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the SDNY, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
January 17th, 2019On January 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 (located in Beecher, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Cranston paid himself approximately $28,220 in union funds to which he was not entitled and improperly reported some of these disbursements as an authorized salary on multiple LM-3 reports. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
December 20th, 2018On December 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association Local 304 (located in St. Helens, Ore.), pleaded guilty to one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
December 20th, 2018On December 20, 2018, in the United States District Court of Rhode Island, Adam Conheeny, former police officer and former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. Conheeny previously paid $20,000 in restitution. On May 24, 2018, Conheeny, pleaded guilty, admitting that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card, wrote checks from a union account payable to himself, and withdrew cash from an FOP bank account for his own personal use, totaling approximately $31,413, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.
December 4th, 2018On December 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Gregory Normand, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 324 (located in Everett, Wash.), was sentenced to 18 months in a federal penitentiary and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $217,260, and a $300 assessment. On July 13, 2018, Normand pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $248,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
November 28th, 2018On November 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dorian Nicely, former business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 180 days of home detention and three years of probation. Nicely was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $53,704 at $350 per month after her release from prison. On July 17, 2018, Nicely pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 28th, 2018On November 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dennis Nicely, former Vice President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 180 days of home detention and three years of probation. Nicely was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $53,704 at $350 per month after his release from prison. On July 17, 2018, Nicely pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 16th, 2018On November 16, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $300,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
November 13th, 2018On November 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Gordon Jeremy Cairns, former President of Steelworkers Local 1089 (located in Harrisburg, S.C.), was sentenced to five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $62,871 in restitution, forfeiture of property, and a $100 special assessment. On March 14, 2018, Cairns pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $62,871, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 7th, 2018On November 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jerome Durden, former financial analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) and former Controller of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), both located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,811 for the tax charge and a $125 special assessment. Restitution with respect to the prohibited payments will be determined at a later proceeding. On August 8, 2017, Durden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, by preparing and filing tax returns for the NTC between 2009 and 2015 that falsely concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to former UAW Vice President General Holiefield (now deceased), former FCA Vice President Alphons Iacobelli, and others. Durden also pleaded guilty to one count of failure to file an income tax return for 2013, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7203. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
October 30th, 2018On October 30, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Deborah Hand, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was sentenced to three months of incarceration, five months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release. Hand was also ordered to pay $44,808 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On July 31, 2018, Hand pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and the United States Secret Service Tulsa Resident Office.
October 17th, 2018On October 17, 2018,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Joan Matthews, former bookkeeper for the Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Charleston, W.Va.), was sentenced to 12 months and one day of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $141,325 in restitution. On June 11, 2018, Matthews 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 Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
September 28th, 2018On September 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, David Thomas Hendricks, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Stage and Picture Operators (IATSE) Local 900 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation. Hendricks was also ordered to pay $13,987 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On May 21, 2018, Hendricks pleaded guilty to one-count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
September 26th, 2018On September 26, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Fazzolari, former President of International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122, an independent union located in East Meadow, N.Y., pleaded guilty to an information for Embezzlement of Union Funds (29 U.S.C. 501c), Embezzlement from an Employee Benefit Plan as well as Conspiracy to Embezzle from an Employee Benefit Plan (18 U.S.C. 664 and 371). More than $128,000 was embezzled from the union and more than $1.1 million from the benefit fund. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
August 9th, 2018On August 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Natalie Przybylski, former office staff employee for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 76 (located in Englewood, Colo.), pleaded guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). She was then sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay $321 in restitution and a $25 court assessment. Przybylski previously paid restitution in the amount of $17,620. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
August 3rd, 2018On August 3, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Karen Auer, a principal of an accounting firm, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor information for Filing Fraudulent Returns, Statements or Other Documents, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7207. On May 31, 2018, Auer and Salvatore Armao, the managing partner at the same accounting firm, were charged by complaint with Aiding and Abetting an Embezzlement of Union Funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371). Auer was also charged in the complaint with making a False Statement (18 U.S.C. 1001). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
August 2nd, 2018On August 2, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao, the managing partner of an accounting firm, pleaded guilty to an information for False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027. On May 31, 2018, Armao and Karen Auer, a principal at the same accounting firm, were charged by complaint with Aiding and Abetting an Embezzlement of Union Funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of JusticeÄôs Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.
July 31st, 2018On July 31, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Deborah Hand, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), pleaded guilty to embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $44,808, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and United States Secret Service Tulsa Resident Office.
July 18th, 2018On July 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Ronald Coldren, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 207 (located in Findlay, Ohio), was sentenced to probation for two years with standard and additional specifications. On March 28, 2018, Coldren pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $30,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
July 18th, 2018On July 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Pamela Noble, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 6904 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation. Noble was also ordered to pay $43,274 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On February 13, 2018, Noble pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 17th, 2018On July 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dennis Nicely, former Vice President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 17th, 2018On July 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dorian Nicely, former business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 13th, 2018On July 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Gregory Normand, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 324 (located in Everett, Wash.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $248,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two (2) counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
June 18th, 2018On June 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Cheryl Angell, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-144 (located in Combined Locks, Wisc.), was sentenced to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Angell was also ordered to pay $98,711 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 22, 2018, Angell pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $98,711 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
June 11th, 2018On June 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Joan Matthews, former bookkeeper for the Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Charleston, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $183,667, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
June 4th, 2018On June 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Evelyn Romero, former President of United Industrial and Service Workers of America (UISWA) Local 101 (located in Colton, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $1,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); and one count of permitting a barred individual to hold union office and employment, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 504. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
May 29th, 2018On May 29, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Charles Webster, former President of Steelworkers (formerly Glass, Molders, and Plastics) Local 284 (located in Longview, Tex.), was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of failing to maintain records, which were required to be kept in support of the unionÄôs annual financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
May 29th, 2018On May 29, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
May 24th, 2018On May 24, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Adam Conheeny, former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police, Local Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), pleaded guilty to one count of Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. ¬ß 1343. The total amount of funds fraudulently converted was approximately $31,413. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit.
May 21st, 2018On May 21, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, David Hendricks, former Secretary Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Stage and Picture Operators (IATSE) Local 900 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $13,957.78, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
May 7th, 2018On May 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Johnnie Nicholas, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 4994 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $37,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
April 23rd, 2018On April 23, 2018, in the United States District Court of North Dakota, John J. Bickerstaff, former Treasurer of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 133 (located in Bismarck, North Dakota), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release. Bickerstaff was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $91,223.85 and a $100 special assessment. On January 24, 2018, Bickerstaff pled guilty to one count of embezzling $91,223.85 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
April 17th, 2018On April 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the state of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was sentenced to serve fourteen (14) months in a federal penitentiary and three (3) years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $139,960, and assessed a $100 penalty. Reddig had previously pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $193,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
April 12th, 2018On April 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Jason Richard, former Secretary-Treasurer of the United Streel Workers (USW) Local 12-990 (located in Wallula, Wash.), was sentenced to six (6) months in a federal penitentiary and two (2) years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,649, and assessed a $100 penalty. Richard had previously pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $40,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
April 11th, 2018On April 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Marianne Rodacy, former Financial/Recording Secretary of Steelworkers Local 10-53-G (located in Charleroi, Pa.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation. Rodacy was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and a $100 special assessment. Rodacy had previously paid $21,539 in restitution. On December 15, 2017, Rodacy pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $13,109 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
March 28th, 2018On March 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Ronald Coldren, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 207 (located in Findlay, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $30,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
March 23rd, 2018On March 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Estes Evans, former treasurer of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-33 (located in Milwaukee, Wis.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of supervised release. Evans was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,446.86 and a $100 special assessment. On December 22, 2017, Evans pled guilty to one count of embezzling $44,446.86 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
March 22nd, 2018On March 22, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Cheryl Angell, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-144 (located in Combined Locks, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $98,711 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.
March 14th, 2018On March 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, Gordon Cairns, former President of United Steelworkers Local 1089 (located in Harrisburg, N.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $63,999, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
March 9th, 2018On March 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kimberly Steinhoff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 2-87 (located in Munising, Mich.), was sentenced and ordered to immediately pay $10,651.52 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, and a $25 special assessment. On January 11, 2018, Steinhoff pled guilty to a one-count information of falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
March 2nd, 2018On March 2, 2018, in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, Rocky DeFilippo, former delegate of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 (located in Metuchen, N.J.), was found guilty by a federal jury of: one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349; and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Amtrak Police Department, and the United States AttorneyÄôs Office for the Southern District of New York.
February 13th, 2018On February 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Pamela Noble, former Financial Secretary for Steelworkers Local 6904 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). She then pleaded guilty to embezzling $43,274. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 24th, 2018On January 24, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, John J. Bickerstaff, former Treasurer of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 133 (located in Bismarck, N.D.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $91,223, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
January 19th, 2018On January 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Guy Gokey, former Financial Secretary of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 59 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay outstanding restitution in the amount of $2,753. On July 26, 2017, Gokey pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $14,074. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
January 18th, 2018On January 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Richard DÄôAntuono, former Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCM) Local 40 (located in Cranston, R.I.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of embezzling from an employee benefit fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A). The total amount embezzled was approximately $319,795. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
January 12th, 2018On January 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Norman Baker, former Financial Secretary of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 220 (located in Axtell, Tex.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $4,249, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On October 24, 2017, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $8,310 from Local 220, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 11th, 2018On January 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kimberly Steinhoff, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 87 (located in Munising, Mich.), pleaded guilty to a superseding one-count information charging her with falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
December 22nd, 2017On December 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Estes Evans, former Treasurer of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-33 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $44,446 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.
December 15th, 2017On December 15, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Marianne Rodacy, former Financial-Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 10-53-G (located in Charleroi, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $13,109 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
December 14th, 2017On December 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Jason Richard, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 12-990 (located in Wallula, Wash.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $40,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
November 29th, 2017On November 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Eastern Division, Douglas Morin, former Treasurer of the United Steelworkers Local 9520 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was sentenced to five years of probation (probation will terminate after one year, provided that the restitution is paid in full). He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,519 and a $25 special assessment. On August 17, 2017, Morin pleaded guilty to one count of Falsification of Financial Records Required to be Kept by Labor Union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
October 31st, 2017On October 31, 2017, after a seven-day trial in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Paul Moe Sr., a general foreman and member of the International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 1804-1 (located in North Bergen, N.J.), was found guilty by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 13 substantive counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, stemming from his no-show job at the Port of Elizabeth terminal in New Jersey, with an annual salary of $500,000. The guilty verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.
October 24th, 2017On October 24, 2017, in United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Norman Baker, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 220 (located in Axtell, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,310 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.
October 18th, 2017On October 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation with the first five months to be served on home detention with electronic monitoring. Sager was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,189. On June 30, 2017, Sager pled guilty to obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2)), false statements to law enforcement (18 U.S.C. 1001), and filing false tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the IRS.
September 25th, 2017On September 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $193,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2017. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
August 29th, 2017On August 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Pascale Mcatee, former President of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 161 (located in Everett, Wash.), was sentenced to five months in federal prison followed by three years of federal probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $73,583 and a special assessment of $100. On April 7, 2017, Mcatee pled guilty to a single count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
August 17th, 2017On August 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Eastern Division, Douglas Morin, former Treasurer of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9520 (located in Fargo, N.D.), pled guilty to a one-count information for falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
July 28th, 2017On July 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Curtis Lang, former President of the United Dairy Workers of LeMars (located in LeMars, Iowa), was sentenced to one year of confinement, six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $95,223 and a $100 special assessment. On May 8, 2017, Lang pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
July 26th, 2017On July 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Guy Gokey, former Financial Secretary of Glass Molders and Plastics (GMP) Local 59 (located in Toledo, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $14,074, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
July 21st, 2017On July 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Christopher Hayes, former Rhode Island Police Department Sergeant and former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was sentenced to six months of imprisonment followed by six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $71,523 in restitution. On May 1, 2017, Hayes pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. Hayes admitted to the court that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account, converting approximately $71,523 in union funds for his own personal use. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.
July 20th, 2017On July 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Herbert White, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 4-8936 (previously located in Wilmington, Del.), pled guilty to a misdemeanor charging him with making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). On the same day, White was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a restitution balance of $23,287 and a $25 special assessment. White had already paid $2,247 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
July 7th, 2017On July 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jay C. Roy, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Local 1245 (located in Locust Grove, Ga.), was sentenced to two months of imprisonment and two years of probation, and he was ordered to pay $83,417 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 24, 2017, Roy pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
June 30th, 2017On June 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), pled guilty to obstruction of justice, making false statements, and falsification of tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2), 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2), and 26 U.S.C. 7206 (1), respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service
May 19th, 2017On May 19, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Carmen Martinez, former Treasurer of Bet Tzedek Legal Service Union Local 946E (located in Los Angeles, California), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $19,070 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 26, 2017, Martinez pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
May 8th, 2017On May 8, 2017, in the United States Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Curtis Lang, former President of the United Dairy Workers of LeMars (located in LeMars, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On March 22, 2017, Lang was indicted for one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $45,040. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
May 1st, 2017On May 1, 2017, in the United States District Court of Rhode Island, Christopher Hayes, former Rhode Island Police Department Sergeant and former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. Hayes admitted to the court that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account, converting approximately $71,523 in union funds for his own personal use. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.
April 7th, 2017On April 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for Western District of Washington, Pascale McAtee, former President of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 161-Transportation Division (TD), located in Everett, Wash., pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $82,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2017. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
March 29th, 2017On March 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Scot McNamara, former Financial Secretary of Heat & Frost Insulators Local 34 (located St. Paul, Minn.), was sentenced to four months of house arrest and two years of probation. McNamara was also ordered to pay $8,871 in restitution, a $3,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $4,000 in reimbursement to the U.S. Treasury Department for the cost of his legal representation. On December 9, 2016, McNamara pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
March 27th, 2017On March 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMW) Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), was sentenced to eight months of incarceration, and one year of supervised release (which includes two months of home confinement). He was also ordered to pay $30,641 in restitution and a $25 fine. On January 26, 2017, Schofield pled guilty to one count of making a false entry with respect to the filing of the unionÄôs LM-4 report for fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, in that it helped conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). In the plea, for the purpose of determining relevant conduct, Schofield admitted to making unauthorized loans of union funds to himself in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503(a). In the plea, for the purpose of computing his sentence, Schofield stipulated to having committed wire fraud to defraud his employer of $30,641, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
March 24th, 2017On March 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jay C. Roy, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1245-Transportation Division (TD), located in Atlanta, Ga., pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $2,125, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and agreed to pay $101,019 in restitution. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
March 23rd, 2017On March 23, 2017, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New Yorfk, Johnnie Miranti, former Secretary-Treasurer of Toy and Novelty Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to eight months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $138,500 in forfeiture and a $5,000 fine. At the sentencing, the court also denied MirantiÄôs petition requesting a reduction from 29 U.S.C. 504 and 1111 (which prohibits persons convicted of certain crimes from holding union and/or employee benefit fund office or employment, or serving in other prohibited capacities, for a period of 13 years following conviction or the end of imprisonment). On August 8, 2016, Miranti pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 9th, 2017On March 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Danae Romero, former Vice President of United Industrial & Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., pled guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
February 15th, 2017On February 15, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Devon Madray, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 119 (located in Roseville, Mich.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was also ordered to pay $20,097 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 24, 2016, Madray pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
February 7th, 2017On February 7, 2017, in the United States District Court District of Wyoming, Harold Giberson, former President of Utility Workers Local 127 (located in Casper, Wyo.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $158,953 and a $100 special assessment. On December 2, 2016, Giberson pled guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $179,052, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
February 2nd, 2017On February 2, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Robert Smith III, former Business Agent and Financial Secretary of International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 970 (located in Norfolk, Va.), was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of probation. Smith was also ordered to pay $1,072,669 in restitution. On October 14, 2016, Smith pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for stealing $1,072,669 from the union by making cash withdrawals from the unionÄôs bank account, paying his personal credit card bills, and using union funds to buy gas, food, clothing, shoes, toys, entertainment, and home improvement supplies. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.
January 30th, 2017On January 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Keith Christopherson, former business manager for Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), was sentenced to four months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release. Christopherson was also ordered to pay $67,714 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 19, 2016, Christopherson pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
January 26th, 2017On January 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMW) Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), entered into an amended plea, thereby dismissing the June 30, 2016 guilty plea. In the amended plea, Schofield pled guilty to the same one-count charge of making a false entry with respect to the filing of the unionÄôs LM-4 report for fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 in that it helped conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013. In the amended plea, for the purpose of determining relevant conduct pursuant to Guideline 1B1.3, Schofield admitted to making unauthorized loans of union funds to himself in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503(a). In the amended plea, for the purpose of computing his sentence under Guideline 1B1.2, Schofield stipulated to having committed wire fraud to defraud his employer (Union Pacific) of $30,641, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. As a result of violating the terms of his pretrial release (stipulated wire fraud offense), Schofield was incarcerated pending his March 21, 2017 scheduled sentencing date. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
January 26th, 2017On January 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Carmen Martinez, former Treasurer of Bet Tzedek Legal Service Union Local 946E (located in Los Angeles, Calif.) pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,070, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
January 23rd, 2017On January 23, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Michelle Clifton, former office manager for Insulators Local 78 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment, three months of home detention, and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $23,014 in restitution. On August 30, 2016, Clifton pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $23,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
January 18th, 2017On January 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Charles Nelson, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Council of Security Police (NCSP), formally located in Yakima, Wash., was sentenced to six months in a federal penitentiary and three years of federal probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $143,489 and a $100 fine. On September 7, 2016, Nelson pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $140,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
January 17th, 2017On January 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, John J. Romero, former Treasurer of United Industrial & Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with healthcare, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
January 5th, 2017On January 5, 2017, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New York, Adrian Lindsay, former Vice President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Lindsay was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On July 21, 2016, Lindsay pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for approximately $25,000 in combined expenditures, with former President Malkia King, that were not authorized by the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
December 14th, 2016On December 14, 2016, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New York, Malkia King, former President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year of probation, as well as ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and to pay a $25 special assessment. King previously paid full restitution of $13,000. On July 15, 2016, King pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439 (c), showing use of association funds for approximately $25,000 in combined expenditures, with former Vice President Adrian Lindsay, that were not authorized by the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
December 9th, 2016On December 9, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Scot McNamara, former Business Agent and Financial Secretary for Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union finds in the amount of $500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea agreement outlines that the total amount embezzled from Local 34 by McNamara was $8,871. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
December 6th, 2016On December 6, 2016, in the United States Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Magelitz, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 415 (located in Vienna, Ill.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and two years of probation, as well as ordered to complete 100 hours community service and pay restitution in the amount of $21,849. On August 17, 2016, Magelitz pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
November 29th, 2016On November 29, 2016, in the United States District Court District of Wyoming, Harold Giberson, former President of Utility Workers Local 127 (located in Casper, Wyo.), waived an indictment. He then was charged in an information and pled guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $179,052, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
November 22nd, 2016On November 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Assane Faye, the founder and former President of the United Security and Police Officers of America (USPOA), located in Toms River, N.J., was sentenced to three years of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $350,000 in restitution. On May 10, 2016, a federal jury found Faye guilty of two counts of embezzling union funds and seven counts of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 7th, 2016On November 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 30 days of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $55,600 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Bell had previously paid $17,400 in restitution. On July 14, 2016,Bell pled guilty to embezzling $73,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 1st, 2016On November 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, William Galloway, former Treasurer of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 192T (located in Reidsville, N.C.) was sentenced to one year of probation and was also ordered to pay $897 in restitution a $25 special assessment. Galloway had already paid $41,457.19 in restitution. On September 27, 2016, Galloway pled guilty to a one count of making a false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
October 24th, 2016On October 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Devon Madray, President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 119 (located in Roseville, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $20,097, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
October 14th, 2016On October 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Robert Smith, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 970 (located in Norfolk, Va.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for stealing $1,072,668 from the union. Smith withdrew more than $700,000 from the union in cash, paid his personal credit card bills with union funds, and used union funds to purchase gas, food, clothing, shoes, toys, entertainment, and home improvement supplies. The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
September 27th, 2016On September 27, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, William L. Galloway III, former Treasurer of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 192T (located in Reidsville, N.C.), pled guilty to one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
September 26th, 2016On September 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, John Kaufmann, Jr., former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1442 (located in Chambersburg, Pa.), was charged and pled guilty to a one count information for mail fraud, in violation of18 U.S.C. 1341, in relation to the misappropriation of union funds. The amount of misappropriation will be determined at the sentencing hearing. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
September 16th, 2016On September 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Lowell Wreh, President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,642 and a $100 assessment. On January 20, 2016, Wreh waived an indictment and entered a plea of guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
September 7th, 2016On September 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for Eastern District of Washington, Charles Nelson, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Council of Security Police (NCSP), formally located in Yakima, Wash., pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $140,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2016. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
September 7th, 2016On September 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jason Leach, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was ordered to pay a $100 fine and a $25 special assessment. On May 25, 2016, Leach pled guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
September 1st, 2016On September 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Todd Culley, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 103 (located in St. Francisville, La.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $91,926, in monthly installments of no less than $700. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and a $100 special assessment fee. On April 26, 2016, Culley pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.
August 30th, 2016On August 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Michelle Clifton, former office manager of Insulators Local 78 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), in the amount of $23,014. In addition, Clifton agreed to pay restitution in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
August 29th, 2016On August 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Donn Pendergrass, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1191 (located in Mishawaka, Ind.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $33,435 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On May 16, 2016, Pendergrass pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
August 29th, 2016On August 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, Roberto Gracia, Jr., former President of International LongshoremenÕs Association (ILA) Local 1395 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), was charged in a Bill of Information, pled guilty, and was sentenced, for one count of 29 U.S.C. 439(a), failure to maintain union records, which resulted in a loss to the local in the amount of $26,354. As part of the plea, the court also heard that Gracia failed to maintain the required union records as the former President of ILA 1544 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), which resulted in the a loss to the union in the amount of $3,478. Gracia previously paid full restitution in both instances. The charge, plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 29th, 2016On August 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, Roberto Gracia, Jr., former President of International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 1395 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), was charged in a Bill of Information, pled guilty, and was sentenced, for one count of 29 U.S.C. 439(a), failure to maintain union records, which resulted in a loss to the local in the amount of $26,354. As part of the plea, the court also heard that Gracia failed to maintain the required union records as the former President of ILA 1544 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), which resulted in the a loss to the union in the amount of $3,478. Gracia previously paid full restitution in both instances. The charge, plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 26th, 2016On August 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jeremy Leach, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was ordered to pay a $250 fine and a $25 special assessment. On May 27, 2016, Leach pled guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 26th, 2016On August 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Adams, former Secretary Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 427 (located in Byram, Miss.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was order to pay restitution, in the amount of $45,495, in monthly installments of no less than $600. Adams was also ordered to attend a money management class, perform 124 hours of community service, and pay a $25 special assessment fee. On March 29, 2016, Adams pled guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.
August 19th, 2016On August 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Keith Christopherson, former business manager for Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union finds in the amount of $2,081, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
August 17th, 2016On August 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Magelitz, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 415 (located in Vienna, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
August 8th, 2016On August 8, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Johnnie Miranti, an officer of Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223 a.k.a. the Toy and Novelty Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, in the amount of $138,500. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
August 8th, 2016On August 8, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Johnnie Miranti, an officer of Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223 a.k.a. the Toy and Novelty Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, in the amount of $138,500. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
July 21st, 2016On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Adrian Lindsay, former Vice President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for expenditures of approximately $25,000 that were not authorized by the union. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
July 15th, 2016On July 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Malkia King, former President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for expenditures of approximately $25,000 that were not authorized by the union. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
July 14th, 2016On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central Division of the District of South Dakota, Kenneth Potter, former Treasurer of the South Dakota Staff Organization (located in Pierre, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of false records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). He was then sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to obtain and pay for credit counseling. Potter had previously paid $4,130 in restitution. On April 22, 2016, Potter was charged in a one-count information with falsification of financial records required to be kept by labor unions, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
July 14th, 2016On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $73,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
July 14th, 2016On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $73,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 1st, 2016On July 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of International LongshoremenÕs Association (ILA) Local 30(located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39,517 and a $100 special assessment. Booker was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service. On February 19, 2016, Booker pled guilty to one charge of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 1st, 2016On July 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 30(located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39,517 and a $100 special assessment. Booker was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service. On February 19, 2016, Booker pled guilty to one charge of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
June 30th, 2016On June 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), pled guilty to a false report charge for helping to conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 22nd, 2016On June 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Terry Aters, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 7689 (located in Marston, Mo.), was sentenced to three consecutive weekends in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, six months in the location monitoring program, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $153,434 and a $100 special assessment. On March 24, 2016, Aters 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 Denver-St. Louis District Office.
May 25th, 2016On May 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jason Leach, former President of United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was charged in a superseding indictment with making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). On May 26, 2016, Leach pled guilty to the charge. The indictment and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
May 24th, 2016On May 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jeremy Leach, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). On May 27, 2016, Leach pled guilty to the charge. The indictment and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
May 16th, 2016On May 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Donn Pendergrass, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1191 (located in Mishawaka, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $33,435 in union funds , in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
May 10th, 2016On May 10, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Assane Faye, National President/Executive Director for the United Security and Police Officers of America (USPOA), located in Toms River, N.J., was found guilty by a jury for charges relating to two counts of embezzling union funds over $350,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and seven counts of mail fraud over $7,000 arising from unemployment insurance fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. Faye was ordered by the court to immediately relinquish his union position as National President/Executive Director and remain under home confinement pending sentencing. The guilty verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
April 26th, 2016On April 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Todd Culley, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 103 (located in St. Francisville, La.), pled 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 Office.
April 6th, 2016On April 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Coffey, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5-887 (located in Newell, W.Va.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On December 11, 2015, Coffey pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,260, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Coffey paid $7,419 in restitution prior to his sentencing. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.
March 29th, 2016On March 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Adams, former Secretary Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 427 (located in Byram, Miss.), pled guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). Restitution will be ordered at sentencing. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.
March 24th, 2016On March 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Terry Aters, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 7686 (located in Marston, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On October 7, 2015, Aters was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $153,434. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
March 1st, 2016On March 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Cynthia Gale Angulo, former President of the Currency and Security Handlers Association (CASHA), located in Houston, Tex., was sentenced to 10 months of confinement, split into three months in custody and seven months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $61,272. On August 27, 2015, Angulo pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $61,200, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
February 19th, 2016On February 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of the International LongshoremenÕs Association (ILA) Local 1530 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
February 19th, 2016On February 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of the International LongshoremenÄôs Association (ILA) Local 1530 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
February 18th, 2016On February 18, 2016, in the 8th District Court of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Alton Alexander, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-479 (located in Plainwell, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor embezzlement of $200 or more, but less than $1,000, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.174(3)(a). Alexander was then sentenced to six months of probation and was ordered to pay $2,553 in restitution, a $100 fine, and court and probation costs totaling $300. Alexander previously paid restitution in the amount of $1,653. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
January 25th, 2016On January 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Helen Genal, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of the United Autoworkers (UAW) Fox Valley Area Community Action Program (CAP), located in Oshkosh, Wisc., was sentenced to six months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Genal was also ordered to pay $30,020 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 2, 2015, Genal pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
January 20th, 2016On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michelle Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Westchester, Ill.), was sentenced to three months in prison and one year of supervision. She was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $31,161 (previously paid approximately $16,000) and a $25 special assessment. On October 8, 2015, Misso pled guilty to making false entries in records required to be maintained by LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
January 20th, 2016On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Lowell Wreh, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), waived an indictment and entered a plea of guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
January 20th, 2016On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michelle Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Westchester, Ill.), was sentenced to three months in prison and one year of supervision. She was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $31,161 (previously paid approximately $16,000) and a $25 special assessment. On October 8, 2015, Misso pled guilty to making false entries in records required to be maintained by LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
January 15th, 2016On January 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Joshua Lewis, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) Lodge 212 (located in Gillespie, Ill.), pled guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. On November 17, 2015, Lewis was indicted for one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
January 12th, 2016On January 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Gregory Paradis, former chief steward of the United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO) Local 501 (located in Seabrook, N.H.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,493. On October 2, 2015, Paradis 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 Boston-Buffalo District Office.
December 15th, 2015On December 15, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Dawn Colley, former employee of United Steelworkers Local 8-719 (located in Ashland, Ky.), pled guilty and was sentenced for making false entries in records required to be kept by the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Colley was sentenced to two years of probation and she was ordered to pay restitution totaling $4,200 ($7,446 previously paid) and a $25 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
December 11th, 2015On December 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Coffey, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5-887 (located in Newell, W.Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,260, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.
December 10th, 2015On December 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ÔAlexÕ Cedeno, former President and Health & Welfare Fund Trustee of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 250 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $33,583 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On March 6, 2015, Cedeno pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
December 10th, 2015On December 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ÄòAlexÄô Cedeno, former President and Health & Welfare Fund Trustee of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 250 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $33,583 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On March 6, 2015, Cedeno pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
November 23rd, 2015On November 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (with credit for time served) and two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay $23,727 in restitution. On August 14, 2015, Randle pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
November 23rd, 2015On November 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (with credit for time served) and two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay $23,727 in restitution. On August 14, 2015, Randle pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 20th, 2015On November 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Henry Shuler, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1892 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. On April 27, 2015, Shuler pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Shuler paid $40,118 in restitution prior to his sentencing. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 12th, 2015On November 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee and FOP Lodge 189 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay approximately $127,000 in restitution and to forfeit approximately $12,000. On June 24, 2015, Givens pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 in total from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
November 12th, 2015On November 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee and FOP Lodge 189 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay approximately $127,000 in restitution and to forfeit approximately $12,000. On June 24, 2015, Givens pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 in total from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 10th, 2015On November 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Earvin, former President of the United Federation of Law Enforcement Officers (UFLEO), located in New Rochelle, N.Y., was sentenced to six months of home confinement, three years of probation, and 600 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $28,012 in restitution. On June 19, 2015, Earvin pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with ATM withdrawals from the union account for personal use, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
November 2nd, 2015On November 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Helen Genal, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Autoworkers (UAW) Fox Valley Area Community Action Program (CAP), located in Oshkosh, Wisc., pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c). On July 28, 2015, an indictment was filed charging Genal with embezzling $29,968 by issuing checks to self for false expenses. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
October 30th, 2015On October 30, 2015, in the Greene County, Missouri Circuit Court, Jackie Nutter, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 15485 (located in Springfield, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of theft (value of property or services is $500 or more but less than $25,000), in violation of Missouri Statute RS:MO 570.030. Nutter was then sentenced to five years in prison (suspended execution of sentence) and five years of probation. Nutter previously paid full restitution in the amount of $12,284. On September 19, 2014, Nutter was charged with theft. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
October 27th, 2015On October 27, 2015, in the Hamilton County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Chad Petras, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 342-C (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of attempted theft, in violation of O.R.C. 2923.02, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail (suspended), one year of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,500 and a $150 fine. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
October 19th, 2015On October 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Richard Molczyk, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 493 (located in Fort Dodge, Iowa), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,196 and a $100 special assessment. On April 13, 2015, Molczyk 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 Denver-St. Louis District Office.
October 8th, 2015On October 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Illinois, Michelle M. Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Broadview, Ill.), pled guilty to an information for one count of making a false entry in a book, record, report, and statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Misso pled guilty to the factual basis that her false record was one of several methods she used to embezzle $47,161 from the union. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
October 8th, 2015On October 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Illinois, Michelle M. Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Broadview, Ill.), pled guilty to an information for one count of making a false entry in a book, record, report, and statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). Misso pled guilty to the factual basis that her false record was one of several methods she used to embezzle $47,161 from the union. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
October 7th, 2015On October 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,993 and a $100 special assessment. On April 23, 2015, Deitrick pled guilty to an information charging one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
October 2nd, 2015On October 2, 2015, in the United States District Court District of New Hampshire, Gregory Paradis, former Chief Steward of the United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO), located in Seabrook, N.H., pled guilty to one count of embezzling $13,493 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
September 29th, 2015On September 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Paul Stewart, former Vice President of the Detroit Police Officers Association (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Restitution is to be determined at a future hearing. On February 23, 2016, Stewart was additionally ordered to pay $175,000 in restitution. On December 8, 2014, Stewart was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud through bribes and kickbacks. The evidence at trial showed that DetroitÕs two retirement systems lost more than $97 million on pension deals corrupted by bribes and kickbacks taken or paid by Stewart and his co-defendants in return for votes on investment decisions made by the boards of trustees of the two pension systems, of which Stewart was a member. During the conspiracy, Stewart accepted more than $48,000 in cash, trips, meals, drinks, and other things of value in return for his support on pension deals proposed by the givers of the bribes. The sentencing follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
September 29th, 2015On September 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Paul Stewart, former Vice President of the Detroit Police Officers Association (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Restitution is to be determined at a future hearing. On February 23, 2016, Stewart was additionally ordered to pay $175,000 in restitution. On December 8, 2014, Stewart was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud through bribes and kickbacks. The evidence at trial showed that DetroitÄôs two retirement systems lost more than $97 million on pension deals corrupted by bribes and kickbacks taken or paid by Stewart and his co-defendants in return for votes on investment decisions made by the boards of trustees of the two pension systems, of which Stewart was a member. During the conspiracy, Stewart accepted more than $48,000 in cash, trips, meals, drinks, and other things of value in return for his support on pension deals proposed by the givers of the bribes. The sentencing follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
September 14th, 2015On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Sergio Rascon, Jr., former bookkeeper assistant for LIUNA Local 300 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On June 9, 2015, Rascon pled guilty to one count of embezzling $2,417 in labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and DOLÕs Office of Inspector General.
September 14th, 2015On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Sergio Rascon, Jr., former bookkeeper assistant for LIUNA Local 300 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On June 9, 2015, Rascon pled guilty to one count of embezzling $2,417 in labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and DOLÄôs Office of Inspector General.
August 27th, 2015On August 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Cynthia Gale Angulo, former President of the Currency and Security Handlers Association (CASHA), located in Houston, Texas, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $61,200 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 20th, 2015On August 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael C. Trembulak, former President of Utility Workers Union Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), was sentenced to five months of incarceration, followed by six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount $31,528. On March 4, 2015, Trembulak had previously pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
August 14th, 2015On August 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), for using the proceeds of forged union checks for personal benefit. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
August 14th, 2015On August 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), for using the proceeds of forged union checks for personal benefit. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 30th, 2015On July 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Maxine Davis, former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Davis previously paid restitution in the amount of $4,875. On July 27, 2015, Davis pled guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 27th, 2015On July 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Maxine Davis, former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), was charged with one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). She then pled guilty to the charge. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 17th, 2015On July 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shirley Johns, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), pled guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). She was then sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Johns previously paid restitution in the amount of $7,190. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 6th, 2015On July 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Ira Alper, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) District 9 (located in Madison, Wis.), was sentenced to four months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release including six months home detention. Alper was ordered to pay restitution of $41,568 and a $100 special assessment. On October 13, 2013, Alper pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
July 1st, 2015On July 1, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Alfonso Rodriguez, former Secretary-Treasurer for United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 117 (located in Southworth, Wash.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 160 hours of community service and order to pay restitution of $34,601. On March 20, 2015, Rodriguez pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
June 25th, 2015On June 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, William Magee, former President of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 252G (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was sentenced to three years of probation, with six months home detention, and ordered to pay $71,908 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On February 11, 2015, Magee pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville Office.
June 24th, 2015On June 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee, the national union representing Amtrak police officers, and an affiliated organization, FOP Lodge 189, (both located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
June 24th, 2015On June 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee, the national union representing Amtrak police officers, and an affiliated organization, FOP Lodge 189, (both located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
June 19th, 2015On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Earvin, former President of the United Federation of Law Enforcement Officers (UFLEO), a union representing special inspectors employed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City, pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, in the amount of $28,012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
June 19th, 2015On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Warren Joseph Annunziata, former fund administrator of United Craft and Industrial Workers Local 91 (located in Williston Park, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was order to pay $126,858 in forfeiture and a $100,000 fine. On November 24, 2014, Annunziata pled guilty to a violation of 29 U.S.C. 1111 (persons prohibited from holding certain positions in relation to an employee benefit fund). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
June 19th, 2015On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Warren Joseph Annunziata, former fund administrator of United Craft and Industrial Workers Local 91 (located in Williston Park, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was order to pay $126,858 in forfeiture and a $100,000 fine. On November 24, 2014, Annunziata pled guilty to a violation of 29 U.S.C. 1111 (persons prohibited from holding certain positions in relation to an employee benefit fund). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
May 11th, 2015On May 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jesse E. Morgan, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,011 and a $100 assessment. On October 7, 2014, Morgan pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
April 27th, 2015On April 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Henry Shuler, former Treasurer for United Transportation Union Local 1892 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and paid restitution in the amount of $40,118. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
April 23rd, 2015On April 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,993 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
April 17th, 2015On April 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Ray L. Lineweber, former legislative director for the United Transportation Union Nebraska State Legislative Board (located in Omaha, Nebr.), was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by an additional four months of electronic monitoring, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,907 and a $100 special assessment. On January 9, 2015, Lineweber pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $102,907 from the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
April 13th, 2015On April 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Richard Molczyk, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 493 (located in Fort Dodge, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
April 13th, 2015On April 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,993 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
March 25th, 2015On March 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Andrea Hobgood, former secretary for Ironworkers Local 58 (located in New Orleans, La.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $3,600 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Hobgood previously paid $14,039 in restitution. On March 12, 2014, Hobgood 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.
March 20th, 2015On March 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Alfonso Rodriguez, former Financial Secretary of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 117 (located in Southworth, Wash.), pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and accepted responsibility while also agreeing to pay restitution in the amount of $34,601. The sentencing is set for June 5, 2015. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
March 6th, 2015On March 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ÔAlexÕ Cedeno, former President of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The investigation disclosed that from April 2009 through October 2011, Cedeno embezzled $93,965 in union and health & welfare funds. Cedeno filed false LM reports in connection with the embezzlement of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
March 6th, 2015On March 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ÄòAlexÄô Cedeno, former President of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The investigation disclosed that from April 2009 through October 2011, Cedeno embezzled $93,965 in union and health & welfare funds. Cedeno filed false LM reports in connection with the embezzlement of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
March 4th, 2015On March 4, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael Trembulak, former President of Utility Workers Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $31,528, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
February 11th, 2015On February 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, William Magee, former President of Bakery, Tobacco & Grain Local 252 (located in Memphis, Tenn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $74,388, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing is scheduled for June 5, 2015. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
January 12th, 2015On January 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Cedric Hughes, former Treasurer of the United Union of Professionals (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to probation for five years and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,193, a fine of $2,000, and a special assessment of $100. On September 8, 2014, Hughes 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 Los Angeles District Office.
January 9th, 2015On January 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Ray L. Lineweber, former legislative director for the United Transportation Union Nebraska State Legislative Board (located in Omaha, Neb.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $102,907 in union funds. On November 19, 2013, Lineweber 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 15 counts of false records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
January 8th, 2015On January 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Robert Mays, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 561 (located in Lancaster, Ohio), was sentenced to probation for three years, 208 hours of community service, and was ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $24,833. On September 12, 2014, Mays pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
February 2nd, 2010On February 2, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Donald Spell, former employee of UNITE-HERE Local 12 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio) was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay $16,422.83 in restitution and a special assessment of $100. On October 29, 2009, Spell pled guilty to embezzling funds totaling $16,422.83. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
October 1st, 2003On October 1, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Diane Lewis, former bookkeeper for the UNITE District Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for embezzlement, three years of supervised release and ordered to undergo mental health counseling. In addition, she was ordered to pay $11,985.80 in restitution. On July 23, 2002, Lewis pled guilty to one count of embezzling more than $28,000 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
December 12th, 2002On December 12, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Sullivan Hamlet, former president of UNITE Local 2603 in Greensboro, was sentenced to one year of supervised release. Hamlet previously made $4,567 in restitution and pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.