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Communications Workers of America

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
February 7th, 2023On February 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
December 19th, 2022On December 19, 2022, in the Montgomery County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Jesse Kehler, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84758 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was charged in a two-count indictment with grand theft for embezzling $54,354 in union funds, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(3). The indictment follows an investigation the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Financial Crime Unit of the Dayton, Ohio Police Department.
September 28th, 2022On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $18,328, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 28th, 2021On January 28, 2021, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, Dorothy McBride, former President and Fund Administrator of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81427 (located in Montville, N.J.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $100,000 and one count of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan in the amount of $534,470, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
July 21st, 2020On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, a former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $85,536. On December 13, 2019, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 21st, 2020On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $50,967. On December 13, 2019, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
December 13th, 2019On December 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling $85,536 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
December 13th, 2019On December 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling $50,967 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 25th, 2019On November 25, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $85,536 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 25th, 2019On November 25, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $50,967 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 7th, 2019On November 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was sentenced to three years of probation to include six months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,568 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2019, Popillo pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
September 4th, 2019On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $2,619, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
August 29th, 2019On August 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was sentenced to 46 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by three years supervised release. Woodcock was also ordered to pay $519,963 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. He was taken into the immediate custody of the United States Marshals Service. On August 17, 2018, Woodcock pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
August 7th, 2019On August 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was charged with a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,568, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
August 17th, 2018On August 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 3rd, 2017On November 3, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was indicted on 48 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $297,469, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
July 13th, 2017On July 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $69,193. On January 31, 2017, Lackey pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.
July 6th, 2017On July 6, 2017, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft of property with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, one count of embezzlement, and two counts of theft of property with a value of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(ii), 7-113, and 7-104(g)(1)(i), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Prince GeorgeÄôs County Police Department.
February 22nd, 2017On February 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), was sentenced to 16 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to make full restitution of $42,700. On October 11, 2016, Contreras pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $42,700. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria, Ohio Police Department.
January 31st, 2017On January 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 30th, 2016On November 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), was indicted on five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344; one count of embezzlement in a total amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); and three counts of failure to maintain labor union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
October 11th, 2016On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $42,700 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria Police Department.
September 16th, 2016On September 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), was charged in an information with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $42,700, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and Fostoria Police Department.
February 16th, 2016On February 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). An information filed on that date charging McJimpson with one count of failure to maintain union records superseded a one-count indictment filed on August 18, 2015, which charged McJimpson with embezzling approximately $19,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
November 5th, 2015On November 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was sentenced to eight weekends in federal prison, six months of home confinement, 100 hours of community service, 60 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,658 and a $100 special assessment. On June 18, 2015, Herold-Roden pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
August 18th, 2015On August 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling approximately $19,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
June 18th, 2015On June 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was charged with and pled guilty to a single count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling over $138,000 from the labor union. The sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2015. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
April 30th, 2015On April 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $79,526 and a $100 special assessment. On January 15, 2015, Ratcliff pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 15th, 2015On January 15, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $79,526, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
March 7th, 2014On March 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Melissa Gustafson, former bookkeeper for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84110 (located in Silvis, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of home confinement, three years of probation, three months of curfew, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Gustafson already paid full restitution of $12,059. On August 16, 2013, Gustafson pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
January 8th, 2014On January 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Natasha J. Bever, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4202 (located in Rantoul, Ill.), was sentenced to one year plus one day in prison and three years of supervised release. Bever was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $55,759 and a $100 special assessment. On June 28, 2013, Bever pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $149,404, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
August 16th, 2013On August 16, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Illinois Central Division, Melissa Gustafson, former bookkeeper for International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 84110 (located in Moline, Ill. and Davenport, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $12,059 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 16, 2013, Gustafson was indicted for the same charge. The sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2013. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
June 28th, 2013On June 28, 2013, in the United States District Court Central District of Illinois, Natasha J. Bever, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4202 (located in Rantoul, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $117,378, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On January 10, 2012, Bever was indicted on the same charge. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 20th, 2013On June 20, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), were each sentenced to six months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and were ordered to pay $19,197.02 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On February 21, 2013, each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencings follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
February 21st, 2013On February 21, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,197.02, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
January 16th, 2013On January 16, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Melissa A. Gustafson, former bookkeeper for International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 84110 (located in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, Ill.), was charged with embezzling $12,059.37 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
November 14th, 2012On November 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), were each charged in a one-count information with aiding and abetting each other in embezzling $19,197.02 in union funds by making unauthorized ATM and cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account and using the money for their personal expenses, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
March 29th, 2012On March 29, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Tammy Greene, former Financial Secretary for the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83793 (located in Selma, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement totaling $31,076.07, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
March 25th, 2011On March 25, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, James Drury, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3121 (located in Hialeah, Fla.), was sentenced to 24 months incarceration followed by three years supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $186,757.53 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 11, 2011, Drury pled guilty to a one-charge information for embezzling union funds between December 2005 and March 2009 in the amount of $306,757.53. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
January 11th, 2011On January 11, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, James Drury, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3121 (located in Hialeah, Fla.), pled guilty to a one-charge information for embezzling union funds between December 2005 and March 2009 in the amount of $306,757.53. Sentencing is scheduled for March 25, 2011. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office (Atlanta District Office) and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
January 5th, 2011On January 5, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), the union representing mail room employees in the New York newspaper industry, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Mitchell was also ordered to pay restitution of $373,555. The sentencing brings to a conclusion an investigation in which the trustee, Larry DeAngelis, who was appointed to manage the union’s financial affairs in the aftermath of this embezzlement, was also convicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain reimbursement for expenses that he, in fact, did not incur. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
December 22nd, 2010On December 22, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, an information was filed against James Drury, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3121 (located in Hialeah, Fla.), charging him with embezzling union funds between December 2005 and March 2009 in the amount of $306,757.53. An arraignment was held on December 27, 2010. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office (Atlanta District Office) and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
August 5th, 2010On August 5, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Antonio Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 38187 (located in Erie, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,767.40. The plea follows an investigation by the Pittsburgh District Office.
May 11th, 2010On May 11, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Antonio Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 38187 (located in Erie, Pa.), was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,767.40. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
April 23rd, 2010On April 23, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Lawrence DeAngelis, former Administrator/Trustee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in excess of $60,000. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
April 21st, 2010On April 21, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in an amount between $200,000 and $400,000. On December 14, 2009, Mitchell was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $200,000. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
April 8th, 2010On April 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Sherrell Mitchell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 86823 (located in St. Louis Mo.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, 200 hours of community service and five years of probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $110,139.12 and a $100 special assessment. On January 5, 2010, Mitchell pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
January 5th, 2010On January 5, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Sherrell Mitchell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 86823 (located in St. Louis Mo.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $110,000. Mitchell then pled guilty to the charge. This charge and plea follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
December 14th, 2009On December 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $200,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
October 26th, 2009On October 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release, ordered to pay the remaining amount of restitution owed ($9,991.86) within 30 days of the judgment and pay a $125 special assessment. On June 10, 2009, Woods had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
August 3rd, 2009On August 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael R. Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On August 12, 2008, Rhoades was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,001.86 between June 2006 and November 2006. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
June 10th, 2009On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
May 18th, 2009On May 18, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of incarceration (suspended), placed on probation for a period of one year, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,759.55 and fined $25. On April 3, 2009, Welch pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
April 15th, 2009On April 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
April 3rd, 2009On April 3, 2009, in the 61st District Court of Kent County, Michigan, Kevin Welch, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $250 and $1,000. On March 4, 2009, Welch was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $1,000 and $20,000. The plea and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
August 12th, 2008On August 12, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael R. Rhoades, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), was charged in a one count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,001.86. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
July 10th, 2008On July 10, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Betty Illig, former Secretary-Treasurer of Graphic Communications Workers Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council (located in Poland, Ohio), was sentenced to five years supervised release to include one year home confinement with electronic monitoring, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and pay restitution in the amount of $145,675. On February 8, 2008, Illig pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount and submitting false Form LM-3 reports. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
February 8th, 2008On February 8, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Betty Illig, former Secretary-Treasurer for Graphic Communications Workers Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council, pled guilty to embezzling $145,675 in union funds and submitting false Form LM-3 reports. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General.
February 6th, 2008On February 6, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise Nichols, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050, was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. On October 12, 2007, Nichols pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20. Nichols had previously paid restitution in the amount of $6,162. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
October 12th, 2007On October 12, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise Nichols, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050 in Detroit, Michigan, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20. On August 31, 2007, Nichols was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
August 31st, 2007On August 31, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Denise M. Nichols, former Secretary-Treasurer of CWA Local 4050, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,804.20 and two counts of false records. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
June 22nd, 2007On June 22, 2007, in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former Regional Administrator of CWA District 7, was sentenced to 500 hours of community service to be completed within three years and a term of probation to expire at the completion of the community service. On March 13, 2007, Dorsey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $22,798.29. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
March 22nd, 2007On March 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Tammara Schultz, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 4101, was sentenced to two years probation, including six months of home confinement for making false entries in the union's financial records. Shultz was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $22,499.93. On December 14, 2006, she pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
March 13th, 2007On March 13, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kermit Dorsey, former CWA District Seven Regional Administrator, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. Dorsey embezzled $22,798.29 from the union by submitting approximately 200 fraudulent restaurant receipts with his expense vouchers and receiving reimbursements based on those receipts. On January 26, 2007, Dorsey was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
February 1st, 2007On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judy Cary, former Office Manager for CWA Local 6127, was sentenced to five years probation, three months home confinement, and 300 hours of community service. Cary was ordered to pay a $7500 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $25,267 in restitution. On August 31, 2006, Cary pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
January 26th, 2007On January 26, 2007, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, criminal information was filed against Kermit Dorsey, former CWA District 7 Regional Administrator, charging him with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
December 14th, 2006On December 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Felix A. Robinson, former President of the Industrial Division of IUE-CWA Local 84101, was sentenced to three years probations and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,684.23 and pay a special assessment of $100. On September 21, 2006, Robinson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
December 14th, 2006On December 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Tammara Schultz, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers Local 4101, pled guilty to one count of falsification of union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of approximately $22,500 in union funds. On November 20, 2006, an information was filed against Schultz charging her with one count of making false entries in the union's financial records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
December 5th, 2006On December 5, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William Dowdell and Tom Honold, former President and Secretary-Treasurer , respectively, for Communications Workers, Local 23 each pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union financial records. Dowdell agreed to make restitution to the union in the amount of $3,200. Honold agreed to make restitution to the union in the amount of $4,458.56 . On November 16, 2005, Dowdell was charged with one count of making false entries to conceal embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. On November 29, 2006, Honold was charged with one count of making false entries to conceal his embezzlement of union funds in the same amount. The guilty pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
November 16th, 2006On November 16, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, an information was filed against William Dowdell, former President of Communications Workers Local 23, charging him with one count of making false entries in union records in order to conceal his embezzlement of approximately $3,200 from his union. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
November 14th, 2006On November 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, an information was filed against Penny Suddith, former Secretary Treasurer for Communications Workers of America Local 14426, charging her with one count of making false entries in union records in order to conceal her embezzlement of approximately $31, 527 in union funds. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
September 21st, 2006On September 21, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Felix A. Robinson, former President of the Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA), Local 84101, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,684.23. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
June 29th, 2006On June 29, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Roy Jones, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 3450, was sentenced to three years probation, including ten months home detention with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay $64,021 in restitution to the local. On March 31, 2006, Jones pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $66,222.30. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
June 28th, 2006On June 28, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judy Cary, former Secretary for CWA Local 6127 was arrested and charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $29,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
June 6th, 2006On June 6, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Felix A. Robinson, former President of IUE-CWA Local 84101, was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,684. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
April 13th, 2006On April 13, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Andrea Stack, former Business Manager of IUE-CWA Local 1199, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $19,361. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
March 20th, 2006On March 20, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Beverly Jackson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA), Local 7901, pled guilty to a superseding information charging her with one count of concealing and withholding records required to be maintained by a labor organization. Jackson was then sentenced to five months of home confinement and five years probation and was ordered to pay restitution to the union in the amount of $33,457.65. On November 23, 2004, Jackson was indicted on three counts of embezzling union funds totaling $33,457.65. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
March 14th, 2006On March 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Tina Buracker, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 82174, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On October 5, 2005, Buracker was indicted for embezzling union funds totaling $54,679.38. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
December 7th, 2005On December 7, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, an information was filed against Roy E. Jones, Jr., former President of Communications Workers of America Local 3450, charging him with embezzling union funds totaling approximately $66,000. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
October 5th, 2005On October 5, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Tina Buracker, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 82174, was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling $54,679. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
July 18th, 2005On July 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Bernard Scheller, former secretary-treasurer for Local 14448, Communications Workers, was sentenced to six months in a half-way house, two years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On May 16, 2005, Scheller pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling $7,250 in union funds. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 29th, 2005On March 29, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, an information was filed charging Bernard Scheller, former secretary-treasurer of Local 14448, Communications Workers, with one count of embezzling $22,250 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 13th, 2005On January 13, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Pearson, former secretary-treasurer of Local 3550, Communications Workers of America, was sentenced to three years probation. Pearson had previously made restitution in the amount of $28,686 to the union. He pled guilty to embezzlement on October 15, 2004, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
November 23rd, 2004On November 23, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Beverly Jackson, former executive vice president of Local 7901, Communications Workers, was indicted on three counts of embezzlement totaling $33,457.65. The indictment alleges that Jackson was "double paid" by both the union and her employer, Qwest Corporation, for time she spent performing union activities. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
May 17th, 2004On May 17, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jeffery Henson, former secretary-treasurer of Graphic Communications Workers Local 42-C, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $98,000 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
February 23rd, 2004On February 23, 2004, in United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Efrain C. Tulier, former secretary-treasurer of the Communications Workers of America Local 2185, was sentenced for embezzlement. He was granted a downward departure from the sentencing guidelines for extraordinary family circumstances. Tulier was ordered to serve one year probation with six months of home detention and to pay restitution in the amount of $41,456. On September 15, 2003, he entered a guilty plea following an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
November 12th, 2003On November 12, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ana Lorena Phillips, former secretary-treasurer for Communications Workers of America Local 3974, was sentenced to five months imprisonment followed by five months of home confinement and three years of supervised probation. Additionally, Phillips was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,678.79. On May 13, 2003, Phillips pled guilty to two counts of a five count indictment charging her with embezzlement and making false entries in union records. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 6th, 2003On October 6, 2003, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Vashone Wimbush, former treasurer for CWA Local 2381, was sentenced to two years probation and 50 hours of community service for embezzling $5,070 in union funds. On July 21, 2003, Wimbush pled guilty following an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
September 15th, 2003On September 15, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Efrain C. Tulier, former secretary and treasurer of the Communications Workers of America Local 2185, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The plea was based on the indictment amount of $13,467. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
July 21st, 2003On July 21, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Vashone Wimbush, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 2381, pled guilty to Second Degree Theft for her embezzlement of $5,070 in union funds. This guilty plea followed an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
July 17th, 2003On July 17, 2003, Michael Knisley, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 14766, entered into a settlement agreement with the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, prosecution was deferred for 18 months from the date the settlement agreement was signed. Knisley was indicted for embezzling $4,490 in union funds, and causing false statements and reports. Knisley previously made restitution in the amount of $214.80. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Knisley agreed to pay $237.51 for 18 months totaling $4,275.20. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
November 15th, 2002On November 15, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Mary Anderson, former treasurer of Communications Workers Local 9417, was sentenced to prison for twelve months and a day, plus twelve months of probation, and was ordered to make restitution of $89,422.58. On July 19, 2002, Anderson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The charge was brought following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
July 19th, 2002On July 19, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Mary Dolores Anderson, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 9417, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds and agreed to make full restitution of up to $89,422.58. She had been indicted on September 28, 2000, following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
June 26th, 2002On June 26, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Efrain Tulier, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 2185, was indicted on one count of embezzling $13,467 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
April 23rd, 2002On April 23, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Bobby Ray Putnam, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 14708, was sentenced to five years probation, including six months in home detention with electronic monitoring , and was ordered to make restitution of $18,026.95. He had earlier pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
October 31st, 2001On October 31, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Bobby Putnam, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 14708, was charged in a 40-count indictment with embezzling union funds and making false entries in union records. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
October 19th, 2001On October 19, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Ogg, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 7401, was sentenced to four months imprisonment and two months home confinement to be followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and to make restitution of $65,285. She had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds on August 1, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
August 1st, 2001On August 1, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Connie Ogg, former secretary-treasurer of Communications Workers Local 7401, pled guilty to an information charging her with embezzling $67,637 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.