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Government Employees

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
March 21st, 2023On March 21, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Fred T. Lee, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 4071 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General.
February 23rd, 2023On February 23, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, James Bradley, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) national union (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison, 36 months of probation, and 200 hours of community service. Bradley was also ordered to pay restitution of $205,421. On November 7, 2022, Bradley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
February 15th, 2023On February 15, 2023, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Crystal Mathis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812 (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the first degree for embezzling $11,574 from the union, in violation of 22 D.C. Code Sections 3211 and 3212(a). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
December 16th, 2022On December 16, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Stacy Staples, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) national union (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $44,748 in restitution. On August 29, 2022, Staples pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle labor union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
November 7th, 2022On November 7, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, James Bradley, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) national union (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle $205,421 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
September 29th, 2022On September 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, James Bradley, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiracy to embezzle $205,421 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
August 29th, 2022On August 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Stacy Staples, an associate of a former employee of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Union (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle $44,748 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
August 4th, 2022On August 4, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Stacy Staples, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National union (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor organization for conspiring to embezzle $44,748, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
May 24th, 2022On May 24, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Donnell Owens, former secretary for the Communications Director of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service. Owens was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $273,745. On October 20, 2021, Owens pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
April 29th, 2022On April 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Donald Snyder, former President of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP), affiliated with National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R2-394 (located in Amherst, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of probation with the first 12 months as home confinement. He was ordered to pay $94,649 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On July 20, 2021, Snyder pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office with the assistance of the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
October 20th, 2021On October 20, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Donnell Owens, former Secretary to the Communications Director of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National Union (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $275,524 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
September 28th, 2021On September 28, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Donnell Owens, former Secretary to the Communications Director of the American Federation of Government Employees National Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $275,524, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
July 20th, 2021On July 20, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Donald Snyder, former President of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP), affiliated with National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R2-394 (located in Amherst, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $94,649, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office with the assistance of the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
February 18th, 2021On February 18, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Donald Snyder, former President of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics, affiliated with the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R2-394 (located in Amherst, N.Y.), was charged in a criminal complaint with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $94,649, false reports required to be filed by the Secretary of Labor, and false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 439(b), and 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
October 13th, 2020On October 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, KaSandra Hall, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 235 (located in Killeen, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment for wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. Hall committed wire fraud as part of her scheme to defraud and embezzle $12,765 in union funds from Council 235. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
September 12th, 2019On September 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Audonus Duplessis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2463 (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property for transporting $11,300 of stolen union funds from Washington, D.C. to Virginia to purchase a Dodge Charger for his personal use, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314. The total embezzlement by Duplessis was more than $80,000. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
May 7th, 2019On May 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Annette Jones, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 331 (located in Perry Point, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344) for embezzling $82,180 from the union by writing checks to herself, forging the signature of other union officers on 335 checks, and making personal purchases with the union credit card. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Veterans AffairsÄô Office of Inspector General.
January 22nd, 2019On January 22, 2019, in the United States District Court District of Kansas, Robert Clearwater, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local 14-8 (located in Topeka, Kans.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,781 and an assessment of $700 to be paid to the victim impact fund. On April 24, 2018, Clearwater pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and six counts of false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 and 1001, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
January 15th, 2019On January 15, 2019, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Christy Little Coppin, former office secretary for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2250 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), was charged in a one-count indictment for theft and embezzlement within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction in the amount of $52,738, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
April 24th, 2018On April 24, 2018, in the United States District Court District of Kansas, Robert Clearwater, former President for the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local 14 (located in Topeka, Kans.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $11,681 within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 as well as six counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
February 7th, 2018On February 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Robert Clearwater, former President for the National Association of Government Employees Local 14-8 (located in Topeka, Kansas), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $11,681 within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C 661 and six counts of false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C 1001. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
July 11th, 2017On July 11, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jeffrey Davies, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 183 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was sentenced to one year in a federal penitentiary and three years of federal probation, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $92,766 and a $100 fine. On June 7, 2016, Davies pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $92,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the FBI.
November 30th, 2016On November 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Violet Lamorie, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 695 (located in Denver, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling over $70,000 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of TreasuryÄôs Office of Inspector General.
October 18th, 2016On October 18, 2016, in the Circuit Court of Preston County, West Virginia, Jared Henson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 420 (located in Bruceton Mills, W.Va.), was charged in a three-count indictment with two counts of grand larceny by embezzlement in a total amount in excess of $1,000, in violation of W.VA. Code 61-3-13 and 61-3-20, and one count of falsifying accounts, in violation of W. VA Code 61-3-22. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
October 11th, 2016On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Violet Lamorie, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 695 (located in Denver, Colo.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling over $70,000 from the union. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of TreasuryÕs Office of Inspector General.
October 11th, 2016On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Violet Lamorie, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 695 (located in Denver, Colo.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling over $70,000 from the union. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of TreasuryÄôs Office of Inspector General.
July 21st, 2016On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), William Davis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1119 (located in Montrose, N.Y.), was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release, in connection with embezzling approximately $150,000 in union funds. Davis was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150,000 and a $100 special assessment. On April 6, 2016, Davis pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and Department of Veterans AffairsÕ Office of Inspector General.
July 21st, 2016On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), William Davis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1119 (located in Montrose, N.Y.), was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release, in connection with embezzling approximately $150,000 in union funds. Davis was further ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $150,000 and a $100 special assessment. On April 6, 2016, Davis pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and Department of Veterans AffairsÄô Office of Inspector General.
June 7th, 2016On June 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jeffrey W. Davies, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 183 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $90,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
December 16th, 2015On December 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jeffrey W. Davies, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 183 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was indicted for one count of embezzling over $100,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The union membersÕ past employment history led them to be affiliated with AFGE even though they are not currently federal or state employees. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Field Office.
December 16th, 2015On December 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jeffrey W. Davies, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 183 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was indicted for one count of embezzling over $100,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The union membersÄô past employment history led them to be affiliated with AFGE even though they are not currently federal or state employees. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Anchorage Field Office.
February 27th, 2015On February 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Stephanie Hicks, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2207 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was indicted on eight counts of bank fraud for embezzling approximately $132,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344; eight counts of forged securities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and three counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(1). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office and Department of Veterans AffairsÕ Office of Inspector General.
February 27th, 2015On February 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Stephanie Hicks, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2207 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was indicted on eight counts of bank fraud for embezzling approximately $132,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344; eight counts of forged securities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and three counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028(a)(1). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office and Department of Veterans AffairsÄô Office of Inspector General.
March 6th, 2014On March 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Janet Posey, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $250 fine. On October 22, 2013, Posey pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. Posey previously made full restitution of $3,026. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
March 6th, 2014On March 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Linda Bland, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $947 in restitution and a $250 fine. On October 22, 2013, Bland pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
November 1st, 2013On November 1, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Federck C. Petro, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2094 was sentenced to six months of home confinement, three years of probation and was ordered to pay $112,477 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On February 14, 2013, Petro pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds on a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division.
October 22nd, 2013On October 22, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Janet Posey, President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia - Pittsburgh District Office.
October 22nd, 2013On October 22, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Linda Bland, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with receiving and concealing less than $1,000 in money and funds feloniously taken, stolen, and embezzled, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia - Pittsburgh District Office.
August 6th, 2013On August 6, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Janet Posey, President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 VA (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was indicted on one count of concealment of embezzled funds on federal property of more than $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
August 6th, 2013On August 6, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Linda Bland, Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2384 VA (located in Clarksburg, W.Va.), was indicted on one count of concealment of embezzled funds on federal property of more than $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 662. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
July 8th, 2013On July 8, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Francisco Smalls, President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2263 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $6,726 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On January 28, 2013, Smalls pled guilty to one count of embezzlement within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
March 15th, 2013On March 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Jacquelyn Pugh-Rodgers, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. Pugh-Rodgers was previously indicted on July 17, 2012 with one count of embezzlement of more than $1,000 on a federal enclave in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 and two counts of mail fraud. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
February 14th, 2013On February 14, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Federck C. Petro, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2094 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds on a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.
January 9th, 2013On January 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher S. Stansbury, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1765 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to embezzlement in a federal enclave for taking $499 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. On December 19, 2012, an information was filed charging Stansbury with the same crime. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General.
December 14th, 2012On December 14, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Gloria Dickinson, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 421 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 30 days of home confinement, five years of probation, and 40 hours of community service. She was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $21,713.32. On September 14, 2012, Dickinson pled guilty to one count of making false statements on an LM report, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, in order to conceal her embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
September 27th, 2012On September 27, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Graciela Jimenez, Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2263 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution $7,919 in restitution and a $25 assessment. On June 26, 2012, Jimenez pled guilty to one count of embezzlement within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
July 17th, 2012On July 17, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, James Charleston, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), Jacquelyn Pugh-Rodgers, former Vice President, and Mary Craigen, former Secretary-Treasurer, were each charged in a five-count indictment with one count of embezzlement of more than $1,000 on a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, and two counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 10th, 2012On April 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Vicki Guynn, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1612 (located in Springfield, Mo.), was sentenced to four months of home confinement and three years of probation. On December 15, 2011, Guynn pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, in connection with an embezzlement of $16,081. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
February 20th, 2012On February 20, 2012, in the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division for the State of North Carolina, County of Durham, Terry L. Wagner, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2923 (located in Durham, N.C.), was indicted for embezzlement totaling between $7,312 and $7,845. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
December 12th, 2011On December 12, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Federck C. Petro, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2094 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged in a criminal complaint with embezzling $112,477 in union funds in a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
June 6th, 2011On June 6, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Garold Lawson, former President for National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R14-139 (located in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.), was sentenced to six months confinement, four months home confinement, and three years probation. Lawson pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $67,566 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
January 6th, 2011On January 6, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Garold Lawson, Sr., former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local 14-139 (located in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of union funds in an aggregate amount of more than $50,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Lawson pled guilty to the charge. The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
October 15th, 2010On October 15, 2010, in Circuit Court for Arlington County, Virginia, Richard James, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1402 (located in Arlington, VA), was sentenced to two years incarceration (all suspended), two years supervised probation, and 75 hours of community service for embezzling $9,850 from the union in violation of Section 18.2-111 of the Virginia Code. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Arlington County Police Department.
August 4th, 2010On August 4, 2010, in the United States District Court of Northern California, Duane DeJoie, former President of AFGE Local 1223 (located in Oakland, Calif.), was charged with theft and embezzlement within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States in the amount of $5,369. The charge follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
July 12th, 2010On July 12, 2010, in United States District Court for the District of Western Washington, Sid Mannetti, former President of AFGE Local 1170 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to twenty-four months of probation with six months of home confinement and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,463. On January 25, 2010, Mannetti was charge with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
July 8th, 2010On July 8, 2010, in Circuit Court for Arlington County, Virginia, Richard James, former President of AFGE Local 1402 (located in Arlington, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement greater than $200 associated with his embezzling unions funds in the amount of $1,550. James previously made restitution in the amount of $9,850. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Arlington County Police Department.
May 18th, 2010On May 18, 2010, in General District Court for Arlington County, Virginia, Richard James, former President of AFGE Local 1402, was charged with embezzling union funds in the amount of $1,550. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
January 25th, 2010On January 25, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Sid Mannetti, former President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1170 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was charged with embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $50,463. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
September 4th, 2009On September 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Don C. Padgett, former secretary treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1304 (located in Greenville, Ill.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $185,042. Full restitution was ordered following release from incarceration. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
June 9th, 2009On June 9, 2009, in the Brockton, Massachusetts District Court, a criminal complaint was filed charging Joseph Morena, former President of AFGE Locals 25 and 86 (located in Brockton, Mass. and West Roxbury, Mass.), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
March 17th, 2009On March 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Don C. Padgett, former secretary treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1304 (located in Greenville, Ill.), was indicted for one count of mail fraud relating to an embezzlement of $186,997. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
October 6th, 2008On October 6, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Karimah Bailey, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3197 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to twelve months and one day in jail, three years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $98,802.17. On April 4, 2008, Bailey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,412, and making a false statement and representation of a material fact, knowing it to be false, on the local’s annual financial report. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
June 26th, 2008On June 26, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Michelle Meek, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3435 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to five years probation, 50 hours of community service, and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $7,278. On April 1, 2008, Meek pled guilty to embezzlement within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of the Inspector General.
April 24th, 2008On April 24, 2008, in the Cambria County Court, Pennsylvania, Richard J. Vincent, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3951 (located in Altoona, Pa.), was charged in a criminal complaint with two counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $43,694.85. The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
April 7th, 2008On April 7, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Michael Rutowski, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 2913 (located in Blaine, Was.) was sentenced to one day in jail, two years supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling union funds in the amount of $71,295.75 and making a false statement and representation of a material fact, knowing it to be false, on the local’s annual financial report. On January 18, 2008, Rutowski pled guilty to one count of making a false and fraudulent representation to a federal agency. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
April 4th, 2008On April 4, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Karimah Bailey, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3197, (located in Seattle, Was.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,412, and making a false statement and representation of a material fact, knowing it to be false, on the local’s annual financial report. On March 19, 2008, Bailey was charged with making a false statement and representation of a material fact, knowing it to be false, on the local’s annual financial report. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
March 6th, 2007On March 6, 2007, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Court, Christine Smith, former President of AFGE Local 2028, pled guilty to one count of theft by deception and one count of forgery. Smith was sentenced to seven years probation for each count to run consecutively and required to make restitution in the amount of $64,299. Smith was also barred from holding union office for 13 years. Prior to sentencing, Smith made an initial restitution payment of $3,000. Additionally, the court ordered Smith to sell or re-finance any properties she owned to pay the restitution, and set July 31, 2007 as the expected date for Smith to make "a significant and substantial payment" toward restitution or she will be incarcerated. On April 17, 2006, Smith was charged with 53 counts of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
December 14th, 2006On December 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Josefina Suarez Gonzales, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1662, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $27,405. On June 8, 2005, Gonzales pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
November 15th, 2006On November 15, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Mary Love, former President of AFGE Local 96, was convicted on two counts of filing false reports and three counts of felony theft for filing false Form LM-3 reports and embezzling from the union. In a related case, Danna France, former Financial Secretary for AFGE Local 96, pled guilty to filing a false report. The trial, conviction, and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
September 26th, 2006On September 26, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Mary Garner, former President of AFGE Local 3653, was sentenced to five years probation, six months of which must be served in home detention, and 360 hours of community service. Garner was also ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $11,959.35. On June 26, 2006, Garner pled guilty to embezzling $12,194 from the union. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
June 8th, 2006On June 8, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Josefina Suarez, former President of AFGE Local 1662 pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. On October 27, 2004, Suarez was indicted on 67 counts of embezzlement. As part of the plea agreement, Suarez must make restitution of up to $27,400. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
April 17th, 2006On April 17, 2006, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Court, Christine Smith, former President of AFGE Local 2028, was charged with 53 counts of embezzling $64,299 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
April 17th, 2006On April 17, 2006, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Court, Lynda Holley, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE Local 2028, was charged with eight counts of embezzling $4,404 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
March 9th, 2006On March 9, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Jerry LeBlanc, former President of AFGE Local 2250, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement within a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States in the amount of $46,151.51 in union funds. LeBlanc was indicted on November 8, 2005. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Department of Veteran Affairs' Office of the Inspector General.
February 8th, 2006On February 8, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Laura Booth, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3129, was sentenced to two years probation and assessed $100. On March 15, 2005, Booth pled guilty to an information charging her with embezzling $18,749.41 from the union. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
January 13th, 2006On January 13, 2006, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, McKean County Court, Richard D. Yovichin, II, former President of AFGE Local 3974, was charged in a criminal complaint with three counts of embezzling union funds totaling $3,725.49. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
November 8th, 2005On November 8, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Jerry T. LeBlanc, President of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2250, was indicted on one count of embezzlement within a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Department of Veterans Affair's Office of Inspector General.
October 27th, 2004On October 27, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Josefina Suarez Gonzalez, former president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1662, was indicted on 67 counts of embezzlement. The indictment alleges that Suarez Gonzalez embezzled $27,404.25 in union funds by writing unauthorized checks to cash and to herself in the amount of $23,504, and to her daughters in the amount of $3,900. The indictment supercedes an information filed September 17, 2004, charging Suarez Gonzalez with one count of embezzlement and one count of making false entries in union records. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
September 7th, 2004On September 7, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Michael Volek, former president and treasurer of AFGE Local 2441, pled guilty to one count of bank fraud. On July 8, 2004, Volek was indicted on one count of bank fraud for embezzling $14,491.56 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
April 2nd, 2004On April 2, 2004, in the Ohio Municipal Court Criminal Division (Dayton), Ronald Richardson, former sergeant-at-arms with American Federation of Government Employees Local 2209, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint with one count of petty theft and two counts of tampering with records. The complaint alleges that Richardson embezzled $460 in union funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 18th, 2003On September 18, 2003, Clyde L. Spearman, former president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1206, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Oakland, California, on two counts of bank fraud. The indictment stated that between September 1998 and May 2001, Spearman embezzled approximately $15,000 in union funds by writing unauthorized checks against the union's bank account. Spearman served as president of the Martinez, California Local from early 1997 until March 2001, when he was suspended for financial misconduct. In December 2001, following an internal AFGE proceeding, Spearman was removed from office and barred from membership for 13 years. The current indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office and the Veterans Affairs Department's Inspector General's Office.
August 19th, 2003On August 19, 2003, in Imperial County (California) Jail Court, Edward B. Adams, former president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2554 (which represents U. S. Border Patrol employees), pled guilty to misdemeanor grand theft for embezzling $4,100 in union funds. On the same day, Adams was sentenced to three years probation, a $100 fine, 120 hours of community service, and restitution in the amount of $4,100. He had previously made partial restitution of $2,600, and submitted the remaining $1,500 at sentencing. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
March 28th, 2003On March 28, 2003, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office issued a criminal complaint against Susan Bertram, former treasurer of National Association of Government Employees Local 01-195, charging her with one count of larceny over $250. She had embezzled over $21,000 from the local by withdrawing cash, writing checks and money orders to herself, and making wire transfers to her credit accounts from union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
December 10th, 2002On December 10, 2002, in Kern County, California Superior Court, a 5-count criminal complaint was filed charging Mark D. Marquez, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2730 (which represents U.S. Border Patrol Agents), with embezzling $1,297.14 in union funds. The charges were brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
October 18th, 2002On October 18, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Verlia Jones, former secretary-treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), New York/New Jersey Veterans Administration Council, and former president of AFGE Local 1012, was arrested and arraigned for the embezzlement of $44,988.84 from both labor organizations. A review of the VA Council's financial books and records, including credit union statements, copies of canceled checks, and receipt records revealed that Jones used union funds for her own use by negotiating union checks to herself and authorizing union checks to third parties on her behalf. In addition she negotiated for her personal use per-capita tax checks intended for the VA Council. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
June 20th, 2002On June 20, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Toy Jones, secretary-treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1012, was indicted under 18 U.S.C. 661 on charges of embezzling in excess of $41,000 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
April 12th, 2002On April 12, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Ralph Varnardo, former president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1674, was sentenced to five years probation and six months of home confinement and was ordered to make total restitution of $15,973.99. He had pled guilty on September 17, 2001, to one count of violating 18 U.S.C. 641, embezzlement of public money, after an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
March 21st, 2002On March 21, 2002, in Marion County (Indiana) court, Mack Dykes, former president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1411, was indicted on five counts of forgery and one count of theft for embezzling approximately $7,100 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 14th, 2001On September 14, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Gary Monsson, former secretary-treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees Local 3000, was sentenced to 12 months incarceration and three years of supervised released. He was ordered to make restitution to the union of $12,176.74 in addition to the amounts he had already repaid. He had earlier pled guilty to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
June 15th, 2001On June 15, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Gary Monsson, former secretary-treasurer of AFGE Local 3000, pled guilty to an information charging him with embezzling $51,464.49 in union funds. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.