Union Corruption Charges, Indictments, and Pleas all on Same Day

IMG_3834-Enhanced-investigation-update

March 25, 2021 was not a good day for union bosses. Union corruption is a constant battle, and on this day, three separate cases were dealt with in three different states. This kind of corruption is so common that it can hardly be kept up with.

Thomas Burkhart, Oklahoma:

In Sapulpa, Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of Steelworkers Local 145 was charged with embezzling $19,900 from union funds.

From the Department of Labor:

Thomas Burkhart […] was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $19,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Lamar Elliot, Maryland:

Then In Clinton, Maryland, Lamar Elliot, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians Chapter 134 was indicted for embezzlement. The amount stolen is estimated to be somewhere between $1,500 and $25,000.

From the Department of Labor:

Lamar Elliot […] was indicted on one count of theft having a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 and one count of embezzlement, in violation of Sections 7-104 and 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code, respectively, for embezzling $19,806 from the union. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Arthur Penn, Virginia:

Lastly in Arlington, Virginia, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Arthur Penn, pleaded guilty to wire fraud. The wire fraud consisted of embezzling $384,000.

From the Department of Labor:

Arthur Penn […] pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for embezzling $384,000 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

In all of these cases, union bosses simply couldn’t keep their hands off of money that wasn’t theirs. The money embezzled was from hard workers who put their faith and trust in their unions. And as expected, union bosses let them down and put workers’ hard-earned money straight into their own pockets.


To read more on this case, please visit the DOL site here.

To stay up to date on Criminal Union Corruption, check out our 2021 U.S. DOL Criminal LMRDA Enforcement Actions page here.


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