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American Postal Workers

embezzlement charges

Office of Labor-Management Enforcement

The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) conducts both civil and criminal investigations of alleged violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and related laws.

These investigations by OLMS District Offices involve issues such as embezzlements of union funds, union officer elections, the filing of required reports by unions and others with OLMS, and the imposition of trusteeships over subordinate unions by a parent body. These investigations may result in legal enforcement actions.

DateDescription
August 11th, 2021On August 11, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Brenda Walters, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), was sentenced to 60 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $95,100 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 24, 2021, Walters 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 24th, 2021On March 24, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Brenda G. Walters, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Muskogee Area Local 7 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $95,100, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
September 29th, 2020On September 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Dana Roush, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 403 (located in Spartanburg, S.C.), was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,089. On October 22, 2019, Roush 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 Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
June 17th, 2020On June 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden), Robert Peter, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 526 (located in Blackwood, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of probation. Peter was also ordered to pay $34,500 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 8, 2019, Peter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $34,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
February 13th, 2020On February 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Coleman-Gordon, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1477 and the Texas Postal Workers Union (both located in Tyler, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of supervised probation, and she was ordered to pay $30,599 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. She previously paid $42,967 in restitution. On November 12, 2019, Coleman-Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $71,064, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 12th, 2019On November 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Coleman-Gordon, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1477 and the Texas Postal Workers Union (both located in Tyler, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $71,064, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 22nd, 2019On October 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Spartanburg Division, Dana Roush, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 403 (located in Spartanburg, S.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $10,089, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
August 21st, 2019On August 21, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Coleman-Gordon, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1477 and the Texas Postal Workers Union (both located in Tyler, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $71,064 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). This indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 8th, 2019On August 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden), Robert Peter, former Secretary/Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 526 (located in Blackwood, N.J.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $34,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On the same date, Peter pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
September 12th, 2018On September 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Spartanburg Division, Dana Quinn Roush, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 403 (located in Spartanburg, S.C.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $10,089, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
December 18th, 2017On December 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation and he was ordered to serve 200 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay remaining restitution in the amount of $15,088. On July 12, 2017, Moore pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $18,857, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
July 12th, 2017On July 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $18,857 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
July 7th, 2017On July 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), was charged in a criminal complaint with embezzling $18,857 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
March 22nd, 2017On March 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and 18 months of supervised release. Holmes was also ordered pay restitution in the amount of $101,987 and a $100 assessment. On March 15, 2016, Holmes pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,823, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
December 28th, 2016On December 28, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Amalia Lopez-Santiago, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1070 (located in San Juan, P.R.), was charged in an indictment with embezzling union funds in excess of $92,965. The indictment includes one count of embezzlement of union funds, one count of false statements to the federal government, one count of aggravated identity theft, and four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1001, 18 U.S.C. 1018, and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively. During her time as treasurer, Lopez authorized salary payments and reimbursements for lost wages on her behalf, in excess of the amounts allowable and authorized by the unionÄôs constitution and bylaws. She submitted fraudulent claims for wage reimbursements and authorized duplicate or excessive salary payments. Lopez also purchased personal items with the unionÄôs SamÄôs credit card. In order to conceal the misuse and theft of union funds, Lopez made false statements and omissions in the union LM Reports. On February 28, 2017, Lopez was arrested. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI.
April 11th, 2016On April 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of the South Dakota American Postal Workers of America (APWU) State Association (located in Huron, S.D.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Haugen previously paid restitution in the amount of $38,234. On January 26, 2016, Haugen pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $30,783, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
March 15th, 2016On March 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,823, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
February 3rd, 2016On February 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Lawrence Moyer, President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 6723 (located in Troy, Mich.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzling $2,599 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
January 26th, 2016On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of the South Dakota American Postal Workers of America (APWU) State Association (located in Huron, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $30,782, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
November 16th, 2015On November 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Pamela Nessen, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 286 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and one year of probation. He was also ordered to pay $58,087 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On June 11, 2015, Nessen 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.
September 1st, 2015On September 1, 2015, in the United States District Court of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,823, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C 439(c); one count of wire fraud in the amount of $178,330, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; and one count of fraud and related activity in connection with access devices, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
August 12th, 2015On August 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jesus Gonzales, President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 300 (formerly Local 488-489), located in Lansing, Mich., was charged with one count of embezzling $6,720 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsifying financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal ServiceÕs Office of Inspector General.
August 12th, 2015On August 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jesus Gonzales, President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 300 (formerly Local 488-489), located in Lansing, Mich., was charged with one count of embezzling $6,720 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsifying financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal ServiceÄôs Office of Inspector General.
June 11th, 2015On June 11, 2015, in the United States Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Pamela Nessen, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 286 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,598, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 29th, 2015On April 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Cynthia Collins, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 12 (located in Athens, Ga.), was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,345 and a special assessment of $100. On January 21, 2015, Collins pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
January 21st, 2015On January 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Athens Division, Cynthia Collins, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 12 (located in Athens, Ga.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
May 7th, 2014On May 7, 2014, in Circuit Court for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Eric Barnett, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 171 (located in Portsmouth, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of 18.2-111 of the Code of Virginia. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Portsmouth Police Department.
November 7th, 2013On November 7, 2013, in the Circuit Court for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, Eric Barnett, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 171 (located in Portsmouth, Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of 18.2-111 of the Code of Virginia. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Portsmouth City Police Department.
August 12th, 2013On August 12, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Frank Juarez, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 6768 (located in Plano, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation with 180 days of home detention and was ordered to pay $21,151 in restitution and an assessment of $100. On February 7, 2013, Juarez was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
February 7th, 2013On February 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Frank Juarez, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 6768 (located in Plano, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $21,290.73, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
July 10th, 2012On July 10, 2012, in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona (Navajo County), Christina Carr, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7008 (located in Show Low, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of theft (Class 6 felony), in violation of the State of Arizona Statute 13-1802(A)(2). Carr pled guilty to embezzling $5,853.19 in union funds by misusing the union debit card and writing union checks for personal purposes. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office.
June 4th, 2012On June 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), was sentenced to one week of confinement and three years of supervised release, the first eight months of which include home confinement with monitoring. In addition, Kozusko was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $12,613.20 and a $6,000 fine. On March 21, 2012, Kozusko pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
March 21st, 2012On March 21, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $12,613.20. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
March 13th, 2012On March 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Edward Kozusko, former Treasurer of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 443 (located in Youngstown, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $12,613.20. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
March 8th, 2012On March 8, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pamela S. Hinzman, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1580 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $26,260.68. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
February 7th, 2012On February 7, 2012, in the Navajo County Superior Court, Christina Carr, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Worker Union (APWU) Local 7008 (located in Show Low, Ariz.), was indicted on one count of theft or embezzlement of an amount greater than $4,000, a Class 3 Felony, in violation of ARS §§ 13-1802(A)(2), 13-1801, 13-701, 13-702, and 13-801. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.
January 11th, 2012On January 11, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Michael Martin, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3093 (located in Norwalk, Conn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of mail by an employee of the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the amount of $11,320.61, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1709. In addition, Martin admitted to embezzling $8,880.78 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office and the USPS’s Office of Inspector General.
January 4th, 2012On January 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Pamela S. Hinzman, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union Local 1580 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $26,260.68 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
November 1st, 2011On November 1, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Bobby Harrison, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 979 (located in Gainesville, Ga.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $21,737.11, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Harrison was then sentenced to six months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,159.77 and a $100 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
August 17th, 2011On August 17, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Bobby Harrison, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 979 (located in Gainesville, Ga.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $21,737.11. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
June 17th, 2011On June 17, 2011, in United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Kimberly Hirschkorn, former Financial Secretary of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 709 (located in Bellingham, Wash.), pled guilty to willful embezzlement of union funds, in violation of one count of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Hirschkorn was then sentenced to two years probation, 90 days of electronic monitoring, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment penalty. Restitution was made prior to the sentencing. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
June 14th, 2011On June 14, 2011, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, Gary Weightman, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 190 (located in Clifton, N.J.), was sentenced to one year of home confinement followed by 48 months of supervised release and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine for a violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201 (Tax Evasion). Weightman received a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines as a result of his cooperation with the government which assisted in the conviction of John McGovern, former Local 190 Secretary-Treasurer. McGovern previously pled guilty to and was sentenced for one count of violating 18 U.S.C. 371 by conspiring with Weightman to embezzle $200,000 of Local 190 funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
May 25th, 2011On May 25, 2011, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, John McGovern, the former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 190 (located in Clifton, N.J.), was sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment followed by 36 months of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of $783,931. McGovern previously pled guilty to a one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, by conspiring with former Local 190 President Gary Weightman to embezzle, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), $200,000 of Local 190 funds. Weightman is scheduled to be sentenced in June 2011. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office in conjunction with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, DNJ, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
May 2nd, 2011On May 2, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Frankie L. Sanders, former Southern Regional Coordinator of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU), was sentenced to 18 months custody of the Bureau of Prisons, a three-year supervised release term, and was ordered to pay $10,078.40 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 17, 2010, a jury found Sanders guilty of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Houston Resident Investigator Office.
December 10th, 2010On December 10, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, an information was filed charging Kim Hirschkorn, former Treasurer of Postal Workers Local 709, with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
November 15th, 2010On November 15, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Frankie L. Sanders, former Southern Regional Coordinator of the Southern Region of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) (located in Houston, Tex.), was found guilty of embezzling union funds. On March 17, 2010, Sanders was indicted on one count of wire fraud and one count of embezzling approximately $10,078 in union funds. The charge for wire fraud remains pending. The verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Houston Resident Investigator Office.
November 3rd, 2010On November 3, 2010, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, John McGovern, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 190 (located in Clifton, NJ), pled guilty to violations of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371. McGovern admitted that he conspired with former Local 190 President Gary Weightman to embezzle between $120,000 and $200,000 in union funds. Weightman, as a result of a plea agreement, has already pled guilty to criminal tax evasion and is awaiting sentencing. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and with the aid of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
September 1st, 2010On September 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of willfully failing to maintain union records. On May 6, 2009, Means-Swanson was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 1st, 2010On April 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David M. Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,222.57, ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $7,000 and a special assessment of $100. On December 17, 2009, Matthis pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
March 17th, 2010On March 17, 2010, in the United States District Court for Southern District of Texas, Frankie Sanders, former Southern Regional Coordinator for the American Postal Workers Union (located in Houston, Texas), was indicted on one count of wire fraud in the amount of $1,753.78 and one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,078.40. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Houston Resident Investigator Office.
March 16th, 2010On March 16, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Barbara Patton, the former President and Vice President of the American Postal Workers Union, Local 4469 (located in Johnstown, Pa), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,015.78. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
January 21st, 2010On January 21, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union Local 3434 (located in Decatur, Ga.), was sentenced to five years probation, the first 6 months on home confinement with electronic monitoring, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $16,023.12 within 120 days and a special assessment of $100. On November 18, 2009, McGuire, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
December 17th, 2009On December 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David M. Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. On November 23, 2009, Matthis was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
November 23rd, 2009On November 23, 2009, in the United States Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), with one count of embezzlement of union funds between August 2006 and October 2007. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
November 23rd, 2009On November 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office.
November 18th, 2009On November 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former-treasurer of America Postal Workers Union, Local 3434, (Decatur, Ga.), plead guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,023.12. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.
September 15th, 2009On September 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3434 located in Decatur, Ga.), was indicted for embezzling union funds, between January 15, 2005 and April 28, 2008, in excess of $15,000. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
August 11th, 2009On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark.), was sentenced to five years probation, with a special condition of home detention for the first six months, and ordered to pay restitution of $16,228.38 and a special assessment of $100. On June 8, 2009, Brownlee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. Brownlee falsified travel vouchers, per diem, lodging, and lost time claims. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
June 8th, 2009On June 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Brian Brownlee, former Vice-President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) 2nd District (located in Hot Springs, Ark.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. An OLMS investigation concluded that Brownlee falsified vouchers for travel, per diem, lodging and lost time. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
June 3rd, 2009On June 3, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more but less than $1,000. Drake was immediately sentenced to two years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,050 and fined $160. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
May 13th, 2009On May 13, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), was charged with one count of forgery and one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
May 6th, 2009On May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Mozelle E. Means-Swanson, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7139 (located in Aurora, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,900. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
March 30th, 2009On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary Treasurer for the APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution. On November 17, 2008, Curtis pled guilty to embezzling $18,283 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
December 19th, 2008On December 19, 2008, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Linda Peterson, former Secretary-Treasurer for APWU Branch 715 (located in Pagosa Springs, Colo.), was sentenced to 2 years probation, 3 months home detention, and 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,505 and a $200 special assessment ($100 for each count). On August 20, 2008, Peterson pled guilty to one count of embezzling public money and one count of embezzlement of assets. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office and the USPS Office of Inspector General.
December 5th, 2008On December 5, 2008, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Gary Weightman, former President of APWU Local 190 (located in Clifton, N.J.), pled guilty to two counts of tax evasion. Weightman was originally charged with conspiracy to embezzle union funds in the amount of approximately $400,000. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
November 17th, 2008On November 17, 2008 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary-Treasurer of APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,283. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
July 17th, 2008On July 17, 2008 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary-Treasurer of APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,283, and one count of filing false financial reports. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
May 16th, 2008On May 16, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Bridgett Cardall Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of Postal Workers Local 332 (located in Dothan, Ala.), was sentenced to 48 months probation to include six months home confinement with electronic monitoring and a $100 special assessment. On February 7, 2008, Hooks pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,820.17. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
May 6th, 2008On May 6, 2008, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, John Mullenix, former Secretary-Treasurer of APWU Local 441 (located in Ft. Morgan, Col.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
February 7th, 2008On February 7, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Bridgett Cardall Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of Postal Workers Local 332, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,820.17. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
November 5th, 2007On November 5, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Linda Peterson, former Secretary-Treasurer of APWU Branch 715, was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,905 and embezzling U.S. Postal Service funds in the amount of $3,600. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General.
October 1st, 2007On October 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dwayne Giles, former President of APWU Local 238, was sentenced to five years probation for conspiracy to embezzle union funds. As special conditions of his probation, Giles was ordered to make $11,959.44 in restitution and serve six months in home confinement. On May 30, 2007, Giles pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
August 17th, 2007On August 17, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, William Kendrick, former Treasurer of APWU Local 238, was sentenced to six months of home detention, five years probation, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $26,236.94. On May 23, 2007, Kendrick pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
August 15th, 2007On August 15, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Bridgett C. Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of the American Postal Workers Local 332, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,820.17. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
August 7th, 2007On August 7, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, David Hlavacek, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Local 7065 and the Missouri State Postal Workers Union, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $4,783. On January 18, 2007, Hlavacek pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
May 23rd, 2007On May 23, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, William Kendrick, former Treasurer of APWU Local 238, pled guilty to conspiring to embezzle union funds. Kendrick and Dwayne Giles, former Local 238 President, co-signed checks that allowed Kendrick to embezzle approximately $26,237 in union funds. On February 28, 2007, Kendrick was charged with one count of conspiring to embezzle union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
February 28th, 2007On February 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dwayne Giles and William Kendrick, former President and Treasurer, respectively, for APWU Local 238, were charged in a one-count indictment with conspiring to embezzle union funds. The two are alleged to have co-signed checks that allowed Giles to embezzle approximately $15,589 and Kendricks to embezzle approximately $26,237 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.
January 18th, 2007On January 18, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, David Hlavacek, Secretary-Treasurer for APWU Local 7065 and Missouri State Postal Workers' Union, entered a plea of guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $6,383 from the labor organizations. On December 18, 2006, Hlavacek had been charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
December 18th, 2006On December 18, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, David E. Hlavacek, Secretary Treasurer for American Postal Workers' Union Local 7065 and the Missouri State Postal Workers' Union, was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,383. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
February 21st, 2006On February 21, 2006, in the United States District Court of the District of Wyoming, Richard Carlson, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Postal Workers Union, Local 769, was sentenced to three months time served and three years probation. He was ordered to pay restitution of $3,899.14 in addition to the $6,500 he has already repaid, plus a $100 special assessment. On December 9, 2005, Carlson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
February 17th, 2006On February 17, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, John McGovern and Gary Weightman, former Secretary-Treasurer and President, respectively, for American Postal Workers Union, Local 190, were arrested and indicted on three counts each of conspiring to embezzle union funds totaling over $400,000. The indictment also charged that McGovern and Weightman obstructed investigations by the American Postal Workers International Union and the Department of Labor by destroying essential financial records. The arrests and indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
December 20th, 2005On December 20, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Debra Herrig, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Postal Workers Union Local 2339, was sentenced to three months imprisonment and two years of supervised release. As a special condition of release, Herrig was ordered to serve three months of home detention. On March 2, 2005, Herrig pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds and made restitution in the amount of $13,265.26 to Local 2339. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
December 9th, 2005On December 9, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, Richard Carlson, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Postal Workers Union Local 769, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $7,089.14. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
November 28th, 2005On November 28, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Robb Dutchuk, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Postal Workers Union Local 349, pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with embezzling union funds totaling $34,919.90 and one count of making a false statement to obtain Federal employees' compensation. Dutchuk was indicted on August 18, 2005. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Postal Service.
September 22nd, 2005On September 22, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming, Richard Carlson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Postal Workers Local 769, was indicted on 18 counts of embezzling union funds totaling $7,089.14, and one count of making a false statement in a Labor Organization Report. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
August 18th, 2005On August 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Robb Dutchuk, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Local 349, was indicted on charges of embezzling $34,919.90, making a false statement in a labor union report, making a false statement to the Postal Service, and making a false entry in and the destruction of labor union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the United States Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.
July 7th, 2005On July 7, 2005, in the United District Court for Nebraska, Terry L. Gloe, former treasurer of Local 11, American Postal Workers Union, was sentenced to six months imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release with a special condition of six months continuous home confinement. In addition, he was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $113,377. On February 3, 2005, Gloe pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
February 7th, 2005On February 7, 2005, an information was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa charging Debra Herrig, former secretary-treasurer of Local 2339, American Postal Workers Union, with embezzling union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
February 3rd, 2005On February 3, 2005, in the United States District Court for Nebraska, Terry L. Gloe, former secretary-treasurer for Local 11, American Postal Workers Union, pled guilty to a one count information charging him with embezzling $113,377 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.
August 10th, 2004On August 10, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Ivory Green, the former secretary-treasurer of American Postal Workers Union Local 968, was sentenced to three years probation; he will serve the first six months in a home confinement program. Green was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $19,079. On June 1, 2004, he pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $14,484, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
July 20th, 2004On July 20, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Norman Fugere, former president of American Postal Workers Local 395, was charged with embezzling $12,240 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
June 1st, 2004On June 1, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Ivory Green, former secretary-treasurer of Postal Workers Local 968, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $14,484 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
April 6th, 2004On April 6, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, an indictment was filed against Ivory Green, former treasurer of American Postal Workers Local 968, charging him with one count of embezzling $14,483.50 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
May 15th, 2003On May 15, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Norma J. Reedy, former treasurer of the Louisiana American Postal Workers Union, was sentenced to 60 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution plus a $100 special assessment. Reedy pled guilty to embezzling $34,800 in union funds on January 23, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
January 9th, 2003On January 9, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Norma J. Reedy, former treasurer of the Louisiana State American Postal Workers Union, was charged with embezzling $34,800 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
December 9th, 2002On December 9, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Hugh Credle, former president of Postal Workers Local 1616 in Roanoke Rapids, was sentenced to six months of home confinement followed by three years of supervised release. Credle was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $6,734 and pay a $5,000 fine. Credle previously made $1,700 in restitution. On August 19, 2002, Credle pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 4th, 2002On October 4, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Dee Dee Gregory Lacy, former secretary-treasurer of Postal Workers Local 2695, was sentenced to six months home confinement, five years probation, and 150 hours community service. Lacy was ordered to make restitution of $2,200, pay a special court assessment of $300, and participate in both a mental health treatment program and financial counseling under probation guidance. On July 25, 2002, Lacy pled guilty to embezzling union funds, theft of Postal Service funds, and access device fraud following a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the Postal Inspection Service.
August 19th, 2002On August 19, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Hugh C. Credle, former president of Postal Workers Local 1616, pled guilty to making false entries in required union records. He admitted making the false entries in order to conceal his embezzlement of union funds totaling $8,163.09. Credle had been charged in a two-count indictment on April 17, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
July 25th, 2002On July 25, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Dee Dee Gregory Lacy, former secretary-treasurer of Postal Workers Local 2695, pled guilty to a three-count information charging her with embezzling $4,803 in union funds, theft of U.S. Postal Service funds in excess of $1,000, and access device fraud to obtain in excess of $1,000. The charges were brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
May 17th, 2002On May 17, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Deborah Partida, former secretary-treasurer of Postal Workers Local 761 and former treasurer of the Postal Workers Nevada State Association, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. According to the plea memorandum, she embezzled approximately $200,000 from the unions by making unauthorized payments by check and credit card to herself and her creditors. She had been indicted on March 12, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
April 17th, 2002On April 17, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Hugh Credle, former president of Postal Workers Local 1616, was indicted on one count of embezzling $8,163 in union funds and one count of making false entries in union records. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
March 12th, 2002On March 12, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Deborah Partida, former secretary-treasurer of Postal Workers Local 761, was indicted on two counts of embezzling $132,824 from Local 761 and $1,764 from the Postal Workers' Nevada State Association and two counts of making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.