Officials Sentenced

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.

Date	Description
June 7th, 2017	On June 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Juan Carlos Recinos, former Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer of Iron Workers Local 201 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to two years of probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Recinos previously paid full restitution of $26,900. On February 24, 2017, Recinos pled guilty to one count of Fraud in the Second Degree, in violation of DC Code Sections 22-3221(b) and 22-3222(b)(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
February 24th, 2017	On February 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Juan Carlos Recinos, former business manager for Iron Workers Local 201 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of Fraud in the Second Degree, in violation of DC Code Section 22-3221(b) and Section 22-3222(b)(2), on the condition that he repay the seven union members he stole from prior to sentencing. Recinos pled guilty to stealing $26,900 from the seven union members when he told them that they had to pay him cash from their back pay awards to pay an attorney that helped obtain the back pay, when there was no attorney involved. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
October 27th, 2015	On October 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Julie Skaggs, former office manager of International Associations of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 372 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was sentenced to six months of home incarceration, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $67,874 and a $100 special assessment. On July 15, 2015, Skaggs pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $51,491, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
May 10th, 2012	On May 10, 2012, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, James J. Kearney Jr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Iron Workers Local 45 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release. In addition, Kearney was ordered to make full restitution (the amount to be determined at a later date) and pay a $100 special assessment. On November 11, 2011, Kearney pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling union funds in the amount of $561,365. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
January 13th, 2012	On January 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennine Prince, former bookkeeper/office secretary for Iron Workers Local 3 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $494,598.89 and a $100 special assessment. Prince was permitted to voluntarily surrender to begin her prison sentence, but not later than March 30, 2012. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
November 14th, 2011	On November 14, 2011, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, James Kearney, former Secretary-Treasurer for Ironworkers Local 45 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $561,365, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Kearney then pled guilty to the charge. While Secretary-Treasurer, Kearney withdrew approximately $471,400 from the union’s bank account for his personal use. In addition, Kearney failed to deposit approximately $89,965 in dues money and dinner dance receipts into the union’s bank account. Kearney also used this money for his personal use. The sentencing is scheduled for February 21, 2012. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
October 3rd, 2011	On October 3, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Christy Riggs, former office secretary for Iron Workers Local 70 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay restitution on the amount of $13,937.80 and a $25 special assessment. On June 30, 2011, Riggs pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a) and (c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
May 13th, 2011	On May 13, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Heather Hill, former office secretary for Iron Workers Local 321 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay $59,142.12 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 6, 2011, Hill pled guilty to an information charging her with embezzling and willfully converting employee welfare benefit plan funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
September 16th, 2009	On September 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanne R. Brophy, former office manager for Ironworkers Local 379 (located in Lafayette, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. Brophy was immediately sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $100. Brophy had previously paid over $47,172 in restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
February 26th, 2009	On February 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Alex Margaritis, former Financial Secretary of International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 (located in Bethlehem, Pa.), was sentenced to four years supervised probation, including two months of home confinement, and ordered to pay additional restitution in the amount $1,320.79 and a special assessment of $100. Margaritis had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $12,000. On September 23, 2008, Margaritis pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
February 26th, 2009	On February 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Scott Gehringer, former President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 (located in Bethlehem, Pa.), was sentenced to three years supervised probation, including two months of home confinement, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.Gehringer had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $547. On September 23, 2008, Gehringer pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
October 8th, 2008	On October 8, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Louella M. Zieman, former-office secretary of Ironworkers Local 709 (located in Port Wentworth, Ga.), was sentenced to fourteen months in federal prison, three years of supervised released, ordered to make restitution in the amount of $51,684.50 and pay a special assessment of $100. On June 4, 2008, Zieman pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount and one count of making false entries in the union’s financial records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
June 28th, 2006	On June 28, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Kevin Kulp, former Vice-President of Iron Workers Local 161, was sentenced to three years probation, including six months house arrest with electronic monitoring. Kulp was also ordered to pay a $2,000.00 fine and a $100.00 special assessment. On March 29, 2006, Kulp pled guilty to embezzling $21,888 from an employee benefit plan. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration Philadelphia Regional Office.
January 3rd, 2006	On January 3, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Barbara Wituschek, former bookkeeper for Iron Workers Local 161, was sentenced to 36 months of probation and fined $1,000. On October 5, 2005 Wituschek pled guilty to two counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $5,745.41. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
November 1st, 2005	On November 1, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Jordan, former Business Manager of Iron Workers Local 161, was sentenced to three years probation, including six months of home detention. Jordan was also fined $5,000. On May 24, 2005, Jordan pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $21,652.80 and one count of making a false entry in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
October 7th, 2005	On October 7, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Duane Raab, former business manager of Iron Workers Local 518, was sentenced to three months imprisonment to be followed by thirty-six months of supervised release, including three months of home confinement for embezzling union funds. He was ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $25,479.38. Raab pled guilty to embezzling union funds on July 15, 2005. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
October 5th, 2004	On October 5, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Francis Massey, former partner in the accounting firm of Thomas Havey LLP, was sentenced to six months home detention by electronic monitoring, two years supervised probation, and 100 hours of community service. In addition, Massey was ordered to pay a $30,000 fine and restitution to OLMS in the amount of $5,000. His sentence was reduced due to his assistance in the ongoing investigation of the Iron Workers Union. On August 22, 2002, Massey pled guilty to one count of aiding and abetting a conspiracy to make false statements and to defraud the Government and the union. The guilty plea and sentence follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
October 5th, 2004	On October 5, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Alfred Garappolo, former partner in the accounting firm of Thomas Havey LLP, was sentenced to two years supervised probation and 100 hours of community service for being an accessory after the fact to embezzlement from an employee welfare benefit plan and concealing and covering up a material fact in a Department of Labor matter. He was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine and restitution to OLMS in the amount of $2,500. Garappolo's sentence was reduced due to his assistance in the ongoing investigation of the Iron Workers Union. On June 4, 2002, Garappolo pled guilty to the charges following a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
March 3rd, 2004	On March 3, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Elizabeth Martin, former bookkeeper and secretary for the New Mexico Construction Trades Council, and Iron Workers Local 495, was sentenced to four months in prison, four months home confinement, and ordered to pay $62,784 in restitution. On August 23, 2003, Martin pled guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling $68,743 in union funds from the Council and Local 495. The plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
November 6th, 2003	On November 6, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Jacob "Jake" West, former president of the Iron Workers International Union, was ordered to pay $59,383.57 in restitution to the union. West was sentenced to three years in prison followed by two years supervised probation for embezzlement and false union reports on October 8, 2003. The sentence and restitution order follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
November 3rd, 2003	On November 3, 2003, in United States District Court for the District of Columbia, James E. Cole, former general treasurer and general secretary of the Iron Workers International Union, was sentenced to 15 months in prison, followed by 24 months probation for embezzlement, false union reports, and false union records. Additionally, Cole was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution, a $15,000 fine, and a $150 special assessment. On June 18, 2001, he pled guilty to the charges following a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
October 24th, 2003	On October 24, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Richard C. Holton, president of an insurance agency, Holton & Associates, Ltd., was sentenced to four months house arrest and 12 months supervised probation for bribery. Specifically, Holton made payments on behalf of employers to Iron Workers International Union officials Jake West, LeRoy Worley, and Stephen Cooper in exchange for their assistance in influencing other employers to join the Ironworking Contractors Insurance Program consortium. Holton was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine, a $75 special assessment, and perform 100 hours of community service. On October 15, 2003, Holton pled guilty to three counts of bribery. The guilty plea and sentence follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
October 8th, 2003	On October 8, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Jacob F. "Jake" West, former general president of the Iron Workers International Union, was sentenced to three years imprisonment followed by two years supervised probation for embezzlement and false union reports. West was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $125,000 and to make restitution. Although the amount of restitution will be determined later by the court, West will be required to make monthly payments in the amount of $25,000. On October 25, 2002, West pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from an employee pension benefit plan and one count of false union reports. The guilty plea and sentence follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
August 25th, 2003	On August 25, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Darrel E. Shelton, former general organizer for the Iron Workers International Union, was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by four months home detention and two years supervised probation. Shelton was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,000 and a special assessment in the amount of $965. He was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. The sentence was reduced due to his assistance in the larger federal investigation of the Iron Workers Union. On September 15, 2000, Shelton pled guilty to nine counts of embezzlement of union funds; one count of false entries in union records; and one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds. The guilty plea and sentence followed an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
August 21st, 2003	On August 21, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Fred G. Summers, former Director of Organizing for the Iron Workers International Union, was sentenced to six months home detention and five years supervised probation. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,000, a $5,000 fine, and a special assessment of $1,675. Summers was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. The sentence was reduced due to his assistance in the larger federal investigation of the Iron Workers Union. On March 15, 2000, Summers pled guilty to 16 counts of embezzling union funds and three counts of false entries in union records. The guilty plea and sentence followed an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
June 25th, 2003	On June 25, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Raymond J. Robertson, former general vice president of the Iron Workers International Union and Director of the National Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship Training and Journeyman Upgrading Fund ("National Training Fund"), was sentenced to six months home detention and three years supervised probation. Robertson was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $101,689 and a fine of $30,000. Robertson's sentencing range was reduced due to the substantial assistance he provided the federal government in its larger probe of corruption within the Iron Workers Union. Robertson pled guilty to Conspiracy to Defraud the National Training Fund, Aiding and Abetting Embezzlement of Federal Grant Funds received by the National Training Fund, and six counts of Embezzlement from the National Training Fund. Robertson was charged following a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, DOL-EBSA, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
June 25th, 2003	On June 25, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kerry J. Tresselt, former bookkeeper for the National Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship Training and Journeyman Upgrading Fund ("National Training Fund"), was sentenced to six months home detention and five years supervised probation. Ms. Tresselt was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $234,505 (the amount remaining to be repaid from the $354,183 she embezzled). Tresselt was also ordered to submit to regular and random drug testing and undergo drug rehabilitation treatment. Tresselt's sentencing range was reduced due to the substantial assistance that she provided the federal government in its larger probe of corruption within the Iron Workers Union. Tresselt pled guilty to three counts of Embezzlement from the National Training Fund and Conspiracy to Make False Statements in the Records of the National Training Fund. Tresselt was charged following a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, DOL-EBSA, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
December 11th, 2002	On December 11, 2002, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, embezzlement and conspiracy charges were dismissed against LeRoy Worley, former general secretary of the Iron Workers. Federal prosecutors decided not to seek a new trial after a jury's failure to reach a verdict caused a mistrial to be declared on November 15, 2002. Worley and former Iron Workers President Jake West were the subjects of a superceding indictment handed down by a federal grand jury on August 7, 2002, that accused both men of funneling illegal payments to Worley, totaling more than $217,000, from the union pension plan for salary and expenses after Worley retired. The indictment also listed more than $37,000 for a pension that Worley was not entitled to receive. West pled guilty on October 25, 2002, to one count of embezzling from an employee pension benefit fund and one count of making a material false statement in exchange for the remaining charges against him being dropped after sentencing. The charges had been brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration.
October 16th, 2002	On October 16, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Nancy Barber, former office secretary for Ironworkers Local Union #12, was sentenced to five months of imprisonment followed by five months of home confinement and three years probation. She was ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $57,601. On June 24, 2002, Ms. Barber pled guilty to one count of embezzling $57,769.74 in union funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, and the FBI.
April 11th, 2002	On April 11, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Steven Jones, former business manager/secretary-treasurer of Iron Workers Local 387, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and three years probation and was ordered to make restitution of $90,000. He had pled guilty on October 11, 2001 to embezzling union funds and apprenticeship funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office, the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
November 15th, 2001	On November 15, 2001, in the Berks County (Pennsylvania) Court of Common Pleas, Kathleen L. Frost, former bookkeeper of Iron Workers Local 420, pled guilty to one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received. She was sentenced to two years probation. The charges had been brought on August 14, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.