The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. On 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. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Mervin Patrick Getzen, former Secretary Treasurer of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to three years probation, six months home detention, and order to pay a $100 assessment. On September 2, 2011, Ford pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Over the past 10 years, restitution of $102,625,236 has been paid or ordered to be paid to defrauded unions and other parties. We wish Dr. Walters the very best of luck and thank her for her many years of service to Union Academy, a statement from the Board Chair read. On November 23, 2009, in the United States Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La. Unions are experiencing a time period where they are not overly popular. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. OLMS has investigated and prosecuted union leaders for embezzling more than $100 million in union dues since 2001. Montgomery had previously made restitution in the amount of $14,340. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. On August 20, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Fortier, former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 970 and former President of Teamsters Joint Council 32 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,556.65, a $2,000 fine and 150 hours of community service. Today, U.S. District Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. sentenced him to serve 60 months in prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of receipt of improper loans from a labor organization. The complaint alleges she directed nearly $12,000 in campaign money to her husband for campaign food services that he never provided. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring, Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Official Misconduct Charges in New Jersey, New Jersey Criminals and Parolees Could Have Voting Rights Restored. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. The Maddalones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for their participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. Lopez was found guilty on two substantive counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of union property. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. "Over the last several months, we have been under a magnifying glass, and rightfully so. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. On September 17, 2009, Williams was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. Casesinvolved unions representing nurses, aerospace engineers, firefighters, teachers, film and TV artists, air traffic controllers, musicians, bus inspectors, bakery workers, roofers, postal workers, machinists, ironworkers,steelworkers, dairy workers, plasterers, train operators, plumbers, stagehands, engineers, electricians, heat insulators, missile range workers andbricklayers. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. On September 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jack Hooks, former Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 7010 (located in Mansfield, Ohio), was sentenced to two years probation, including six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, ordered to make full restitution, and fined $2,000. An OLMS investigation concluded that Elsezy created and cashed checks, drawn from the unions bank account, for personal use, affixed the signature stamps of the President and Treasurer, altered the name of the payees in the union's accounting system, and removed checks from the union's records to conceal the true beneficiary of the funds.
Criminal Enforcement Actions 2009 | U.S. Department of Labor - DOL In the other multimillion-dollar case, charges were filed on Jan. 9, 2017, againsta former UAW president in New Jersey accused of hatching a scheme with a health insurance broker tosteal $1 million from the unions self-insured health planand defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of approximately $5.5million. ), with one count of larceny over $250 for embezzling $7,696 from the two locals. Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. A lock ( Suite 300
The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On May 28, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan J. Elliot, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. There are a wide variety of unions that experience problems with embezzlement no matter the size. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. 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. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Tungett was also ordered to attend a drug aftercare program, pay a $250 fine and a $25 special assessment. The convictions follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Its the same basic story over and over again. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. On April 23, 2008, Williams was indicted on one count of forgery totaling $1,431. On July 23, 2009, in the Superior Court for Clark County, Indiana, Joseph E. Clegg, former President of American Postal Workers Local 753 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.)
This methodology may put someone without experience in charge of large amounts of money. Federal records for 2017 show a handful ofsmaller losses to UAW locals: Federal records for 2016 document these losses to UAW locals: Preventing embezzlement is nearly impossible, so decisive action must be taken when it arises, said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley who specializes in labor and the global economy. Johnson was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,653. Fonti was then sentenced to two years supervised probation and fined $1,000. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. On September 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Richard M. Clark, former Secretary Treasurer of Letter Carriers Branch 468 (located in Bowling Green, Ky.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds totaling $18,680 and destruction of union records. On On August 27, September 1, September 3, and September 29, 2009, Six former officials of Teamsters 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.) were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in connection with their roles in rigging the unions 2004 officer election and its rerun. Law enforcement officials said less-qualified people tend to end up in union finance roles because they're often elected based on popularity rather than qualification. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office. Elsezy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,316.58. On July 9, 2009, Olson pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in books and records.
Academy Its typically a very trusted relationship with somebody who has been with the company a long time and has access to be able to get away with the fraud. On April 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Dianne Drawdy, former Financial Secretary of Security Police Fire Professionals Local 576 (located in Baxley, Ga.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $17,900. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Angelo Wiggins, former President of the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees (NAPFE) Local 408 (located in Mobile, Ala.), pled guilty to a one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,269.85. On September 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3434 located in Decatur, Ga.), was indicted for embezzling union funds, between January 15, 2005 and April 28, 2008, in excess of $15,000. Bokaiyan was an IT employee at the school who also owned a business called Hot Rod Systems. The sentencing and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. The sentence follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. On November 5, 2009, in the City and County of Denver District Court, Denver, Colorado, Sherri Pemberton, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1802 (located in Denver, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of theft. On January 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Carl W. White, former Treasurer of IATSE Local 251 (located in Madison, Wis.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,963.31. On September 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. A sentence is a judicial determination of the punishment to be imposed on an individual who has plead guilty or has been convicted by a jury or judge of a criminal offense. On May 15, 2009, Stefanik had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. On July 13, 2009, Ullum pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with causing a false statement on an ERISA record. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} The situation may be as simple as a bookkeeper going on vacation and leaving an attentive part-timer in charge who notices irregularity. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,731.54. The admission follows and investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. On October 23, 2008, St. John was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $24,000. Alphons Iacobelli, formervice president at FCA, was charged in July 2017 with conspiracy and delivering more than $1.2 million in prohibited payments and things of value to the late General Holiefield, former vice president of the UAW, Holiefield's wife and other UAW officials. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. On September 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of Painters Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 7 months of home confinement, and 36 months of supervised release. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Prosecutors noted federal laws heavily regulate union finances, so the odds of discovering wrongdoing are greater than in the private sector. On April 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Daniel Fortier, former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 970 and former President of Teamsters Joint Council 32 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with making false entries in union records related to an embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $8,202.61.
Report shows corruption continues to plague labor unions As the UAW,Fiat Chrysler and federal investigators unravel a scandal over the misappropriation of millions ofdollars meant for worker training, federal records show that embezzling from union offices is endemic around the country. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. SEIU California's director of government relations, Tia Orr, will take over as interim executive director for the union, Schoonover said. On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals & Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to improperly receiving loans in excess of $14,500. Acosta is accused ofpermittingineligible participants to remain on the union's health care plan. A message for Moscoso seeking comment that was left with a worker who answered the phone listed for Moscoso's business was not immediately returned. On August 26, 2009, in Cambria County (Pennsylvania) Court, Richard J. Vincent, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 3951, was sentenced to seven years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $43,694 and court costs of $900. On April 3, 2009, inthe 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. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Frequently, money goes to buy luxury items. Lopez and Rodriguez were ordered to pay restitution totaling $864,924. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. On November 23, 2009, Matthis was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. Prior to his sentencing, Sargent paid restitution in the amount of $8,019.55. On February 19, 2009, an information was filed charging Jimenez with one count of false entry in or willful concealment of books and records. Its everywhere. On November 12, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A.
How to File a Complaint Usually, its the treasurer, bookkeeper or president actions that come to light. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. "The actions of a few individuals should not be held against the entire union and its membership, almost all of whom act with the utmost honesty and integrity every day to help our working men and women.. That political committee received numerous contributions from the SEIU California's political arm, according to campaign finance filings. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary Treasurer for the APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution. Walston, Bania and Mosley were ordered to pay restitution totaling $900,936. Individual cases compiled by the Office of Labor-Management Standards last year cite theft and fraud ranging from $1,051 to nearly $6.5 million. Local3 agreed to hold a new election, under OLMS supervision, for the two union-wide business agent positions.The settlement follows an investigation by theOLMS New York District Office. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
The Rise of Embezzlement in Unions Around the U.S. The judgment follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as the New York City school bus companies, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. Sergio Acosta oversawthe benefit plan for UAW Local 2326 and, authorities say,conspired with Lawrence Ackerman, who is accused of creating two shell companies to market health insurance to about 700 ineligible participants from across the country, New Jersey Advance Media reported. Also, Bruno agreed to pay restitution. Trust is a very large factor. The defendant is now a convicted felon and will pay back Steelworkers Local 145 for the funds he embezzled. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. On October 9, 2008, Bruno was charged with embezzling union funds, between March 2004 and March 2006, in the same amount. In addition to those crimes, the DOLs Office of Inspector General (OIG) has investigated numerous cases of labor racketeering and organized crimes influence within the labor movement. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Perez was immediately sentenced to two years probation and 140 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay a $25.00 special assessment. Drake previously made restitution in the amount of $450. On April 1, 2003, Martin was convicted of mail fraud and theft from a labor organization. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. Often, this situations discovery is through a routine audit, or someone sees a discrepancy in the accounts when the person is on vacation or has left the position. On September 28, 2009, in the 52nd Judicial Circuit Court of Huron County (Mich.), Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Any negative publicity is a tremendous blow to a union. On July 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donna J. Simpson, former secretary of Steelworkers District 10 (located in North Versailles, Pa.), was sentenced to six months incarceration, six months home detention, two years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $84,065.14. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Mosley was sentenced to one day in prison, six months in home confinement, and 18 months of additional supervised release. On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged in an information with three counts of mail fraud and filing a false tax return. The plea and sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. On October 22, 2008, Huss pled guilty to two counts of falsification of union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. .agency-blurb-container .agency_blurb.background--light { padding: 0; } ), was sentenced to six months home confinement and three years probation. Harris agreed to make restitution in the same amount.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Harold C. Ullum, former Vice-President and West Virginia District Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, Ind., West Virginia District (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to six months home detention, five years probation, and payment of a $20,000 fine plus a $100 special assessment. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Christopher Ethington, former President of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to five years probation, five months of home detention, ten consecutive weekends of incarceration, ordered to make restitution of $15,100.50 and pay a $100 assessment. Of course, the shocking data from the Department of Labor only includes the cases where the theft, racketeering and other criminal activity were caught. Brown was alleged to have taken union funds in the amount of $6,467.05. 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 Milwaukee District Office. The charge follows and investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office. The charge follows an investigation by theOLMSDetroit District Office. A Maryland woman who gambled away nearly $1.5 million in funds from the elite dance school where she served as comptroller pleaded guilty to fraud in U.S. District Court Contact Phoebe Wall Howard:313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com.
Dr. Ann Walters, headmaster at - The Enquirer-Journal | Facebook ), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Dallas District Office, EBSA Dallas District Office, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. Getzen had previously made restitution in the amount of $7,012. Brown, former President of Federation of Teachers Local 5095 (located in Butte, Mont. On July 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, an information was filed charging Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, California), with one count of false statements. Embezzlement is an action where a person takes in money for a business or other entity, and instead of putting it into the correct account, keeps it for themselves. ), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the FBI. / CBS San Francisco. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. I think the public has a perception that theyre all greedy mobsters and these things reinforce stereotypes that theres corruption. The charges follow an investigation by the Buffalo District Office and the City of Syracuse Police. On May 13, 2009, Pfeiffer pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,051. Itsfounding pastor is accused of stealing up to $5 million afteraudits and reviewsin the summer of 2017. Per the agreement, White agreed to restitution in the same amount, and to reimburse the local $10,125 for expenses it incurred in its internal investigation. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. A former unionbusiness manager for Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223in New York and former president of Teamsters Local 810in August 2016pleaded guilty tosoliciting and receive kickbacks to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan and commit theftof $1 million. On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, George Ortiz, former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. We need to focus on important issues that support our members, like fair wages as the cost of living goes up.. On August 27, September 1, September 3, 2009 and September 29, 2009 Robert Walston, Richard Lopez, Thaddeus Bania, Cassandra Mosley, David Rodriguez and Mark Jones, former President , Recording-Secretary, Comptroller, Business Agent, Organizer, and Head Organizer of Teamsters Local 743 Walston was sentenced to 57 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release. On August 21, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Unions New York State Legislative Conference Board and former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transit Union Local 1342 (located in Buffalo, N.Y.), was charged with embezzling $277,548.72 from the two labor organizations between January 2002 and March 2008. (Photo Credit: UAW Local 412) Timothy Edmunds, 53, has been charged in a criminal Complaint with the embezzlement of union funds during a 10-year period, stretching from 2011 to 2021, according to Saima S. Mohsin, the acting U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. Watson is alleged to have made personal charges totaling $1,759 on the union credit card. On January 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Scott E. Rodgers, President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) He pleaded guilty in 2016. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Brian Wheeler, former Treasurer of Painters Local 1468 (located in Brentwood, N.H.), was sentenced to five years probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5, 000, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Hundreds of union officials have been indicted for other crimes that victimize union members, such as filing false reports, keeping false records, destruction of records, extortionate picketing and deprivation of rights by violence. On 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. In the Fiat Chrysler case in Detroit, money provided by auto companies for worker training was embezzled in 2009-15 by men who were supposed to be working together to negotiate a labor contract rather than divvying up hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal gifts.