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Union Facts

Iron Workers, Local 45

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
May 10th, 2012On May 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, James J. Kearney Jr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Iron Workers Local 45 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release. In addition, Kearney was ordered to make full restitution (the amount to be determined at a later date) and pay a $100 special assessment. On November 11, 2011, Kearney pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling union funds in the amount of $561,365. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
November 14th, 2011On November 14, 2011, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, James Kearney, former Secretary-Treasurer for Ironworkers Local 45 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $561,365, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Kearney then pled guilty to the charge. While Secretary-Treasurer, Kearney withdrew approximately $471,400 from the union’s bank account for his personal use. In addition, Kearney failed to deposit approximately $89,965 in dues money and dinner dance receipts into the union’s bank account. Kearney also used this money for his personal use. The sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2012. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.