U.S. DOL Criminal and Civil Enforcement Actions

 

On October 5, 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 sentenced to one day of imprisonment (time served) and one year of supervised release. Lee was also ordered to pay $126,872 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 10, 2023, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On October 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Tamlyn Leigh Ulin-Gilson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1273 (located in Boise, Idaho), was charged with one count of wire fraud for embezzling over $42,674 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. Ulin-Gilson then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 27, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Felix Luciano, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2805 (located in San Diego, Calif.), was sentenced to four months in prison. Luciano was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Luciano previously made restitution in the amount of $36,000. On June 15, 2023, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

On September 26, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Eric Baxter, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4385 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), pleaded guilty to petty theft in the first degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(B)(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 26, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, Denise Kovacs, former bookkeeper for Plumbers Local 803 (located in Orlando, Fla.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $304,903. On February 23, 2023, Kovacs pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigator Office.

On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos Sanchez-Ortiz, President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), Puerto Rico ILA Council President, and ILA International Vice President pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jorge Batista-Maldonado, a Puerto Rico Ports Authority employee, pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Victor Torres-Barroso, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records in an employee benefits plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos Hernandez-Laguer, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records in an employee benefits plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On September 20, 2023, in the Court of Montgomery County, Texas, Johnny Craig Alston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Locomotive Engineers Division 139 (located in Caldwell, Tex.), was charged with tampering with governmental records, in violation of Texas Penal Code 37.10(a)(1)(2). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Brian Gerald, former Financial Secretary of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-189 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and 60 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $112,594 in restitution ($60,000 due within 60 days of the judgment) and a $100 special assessment. On April 24, 2023, Gerald pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Brock A. Willson, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Roofers Local 182 (located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), was indicted for four counts of bank fraud and six counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 13, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Western Division, Erin Allen, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9-1384 (located in Summit, Miss.), was charged with embezzling $5,901 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Frank Loconte, former President of NER Construction Management Corporation, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and failure to pay taxes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 26 U.S.C. 7202. NER is a Wilmington-based construction company that employed union workers, including members of Bricklayers Local 3 and various local unions affiliated with the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council. From approximately January 2014 and May 2022, Loconte engaged in a scheme to defraud the union benefit funds and the IRS by paying certain of its union workers for overtime hours worked without reporting these hours to the union benefit funds and without making the required payroll tax withholdings and payments. The guilty plea follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On September 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Andrea Anderson, former employee of the Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen (located in Lakeville, Mass.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization in the approximate amount of $39,169, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 21, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jose A. Fernandez-Cruz, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convert funds and falsify the records of an ILA 1740 benefit fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On August 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pastrana-Gonzalez, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On August 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Iara I. Clemente-Rivera, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On August 10, 2023, in the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, Vanessa Brown, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3570 (located in Helena, Mont.), was charged in a two-count information with theft and deceptive practices, in violation of MCA Section 45-6-301(1) and Section 45-6- 317(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 9, 2023, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Patrick Doherty, former plan administrator for Ironworkers Local 580 (located in New York, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the third degree, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.35. Doherty was then sentenced to three years of conditional release. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $24,131. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On August 2, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Byron Clemons, Sr., former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 124 (located in Alton, Ill.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay $202,100 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 11, 2023, Clemons pleaded guilty to Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 2, 2023, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, Wareham District Court, Brian Simmons, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 18 (located in Middleboro, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced for one count of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, 30. A continuance without a finding was issued on condition of three months of supervised release and payment of $902 in restitution. Simmons previously made restitution in the amount of $1,209. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 1, 2023, in the State of Montana County Court for Yellowstone County, Larry Burk, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 327 (located in Billings, Mont.), pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of theft/embezzlement, in violation of MCA 45-6- 301(6)[1]. He was sentenced on the same day and was ordered to pay $6,175 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 1, 2023, in the Steubenville (Ohio) Municipal Court, Cynthia M. Johnston, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2934 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to 180 days in the Jefferson County Jail (suspended) and placed on unsupervised community control for a minimum of one year, not to exceed five years. She was also ordered to pay $772 in restitution and a $500 fine, and to complete 80 hours of community service. On July 13, 2023, Johnston pleaded no contest to a charge of petty theft, in violation of Steubenville Codified Ordinance 545.05A1. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 26, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Phelton Woods, former Treasurer of the Columbus School Employees Association (CSEA), located in Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud for embezzling $60,685 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 140 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Ahakuelo also was ordered to pay restitution of $209,391, forfeiture judgment of $60,212, and a special assessment of $6,800. On November 21, 2022, following a 16-day jury trial, Ahakuelo was found guilty of 42 counts of wire fraud, 6 counts of embezzlement of union funds, 19 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1957, and 18 U.S.C. 371. He and his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, the former IBEW Local 1260 community services director, along with four union employees, were found guilty of rigging a vote to increase membership dues after largely depleting the union’s coffers. The fraudulent election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over 18 months. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On July 18, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Jacob Wilkins, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the approximate amount of $23,698 and two counts of false records and destruction of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On July 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Benton Ryals, Jr., former Financial Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1437 (located in Laurel, Miss.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation. He also was ordered to pay $32,936 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On October 3, 2022, Ryals pleaded guilty to one count of false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 14, 2023, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, Charles Farris, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3975, New Castle Federation of Teachers (located in New Castle, Pa.), pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking-movable property, in violation of Pennsylvania Criminal Code 3921A. He was then sentenced to four years of probation and was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office.

On July 13, 2023, in the Steubenville (Ohio) Municipal Court, Cynthia M. Johnston, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2934 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pleaded no contest to a charge of petty theft, in violation of Steubenville Codified Ordinance 545.05A1. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 27, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ray La Vondie Williams, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-2140S (located in Birmingham, Ala.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $68,325, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Office.

On June 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was sentenced to two years of probation. On March 16, 2023, Barnes pleaded guilty to one count of false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Daniel Easterling, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 563 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $9,796 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. Prior to sentencing, Easterling made restitution of $43,285. On February 21, 2023, Easterling pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On June 15, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Felix Luciano, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2805 (located in San Diego, Calif), pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

On June 12, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Lisa Bennett, former Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 204 (located in Pascagoula, Miss.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $33,236 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 12, 2023, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky 46th Judicial Circuit, Division II, Meade Circuit Court, Kari Shelman, former Treasurer of Guards Local 15 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition of property for embezzling $7,842 in union funds, in violation of KRS 514.030. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), was sentenced to five months in prison followed by six months of home detention and two years of supervised release. Toppert was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Toppert made full restitution of $55,140 before sentencing. On February 9, 2023, Toppert pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.

On May 31, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Andra Parker, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) Labor Committee (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 30, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth Wynder Jr., former President of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., and Andrew Brown, former LEEBA Benefits Coordinator, were found guilty following a five-day jury trial of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 1343. Wynder was also convicted of conspiracy to evade federal taxes and federal tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201. The guilty verdicts follow an investigation by OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations.

On May 19, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Eric Baxter, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4385 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), was charged with two counts of theft, both felonies of the fifth degree, of $1,000 or more and less than $7,500, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(1) and 2913.02(B)(2), and 2913.02(A)(3) and 2913.02(B)(2), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On May 11, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Khyle Sherman, former member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 325 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 155.35. On March 6, 2023, Sherman, was indicted on four counts including grand larceny in the third degree, health care fraud in the third degree, forgery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35, 177.15, 170.10, and 170.25, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston- Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.

On May 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Dawn Munoz, former outside bookkeeper for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1929 (located in El Paso, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting in the preparation and presentation of a false return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 10, 2023, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Patrick Doherty, former plan administrator for Iron Workers Local 580 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged with two counts of grand larceny in the third degree having a value of over $3,000 and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree having a value of over $3,000, and two counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.35, 165.50, and 175.10, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On May 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Gary F. Fridley II, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8621 (located in Nitro, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On May 8, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Terry Bean, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2401 (located in Prescott, Ariz.), was sentenced to 60 months of probation. Bean was also ordered to pay $80,351 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 14, 2022, Bean pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 3, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment followed by one of year supervised release. Brown was also ordered to pay a $96,000 fine, $1,425 in forfeiture, and $250 in assessments. On November 1, 2022, Brown was found guilty following a non-jury trial of two counts of embezzling union funds and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office.

On April 28, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Donald Fox, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Muriel Newman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2779 (located in Gainesville, Fla.), was charged in a nine-count indictment with eight counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1519, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On April 25, 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.), was sentenced to 12 months in prison (all suspended) and three years of supervised probation. Mathis was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $10,782. On February 15, 2023, Mathis 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 sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On April 24, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Brian Gerald, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-189 (located in Bogalusa, La.), pleaded guilty to one count embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $143,977, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 20, 2023, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Doris Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 65 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), was charged with one count of theft having a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code Section 7-104. Johnson was previously charged on April 6, 2023, with one count of embezzlement, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code Section 7-113. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On April 12, 2023, in the Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit, County of Will, State of Illinois, Patrick King, former President of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, Division of International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) Lodge 2401 (located in Cicero, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise, in violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 720, Section 5/17-10.6(h). He was then sentenced to two days in jail (credited with one day served) and 24 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $31,383 in restitution and a $1,059 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 11, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, James Darin Boatman, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 617 (located in Fort Madison, Iowa), was sentenced to two years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervision. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $74,231. On November 14, 2022, Boatman pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 11, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Byron Clemons, Sr., former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 124 (located in Alton, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with interstate transportation of stolen money totaling $202,100, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314. He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 10 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), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On April 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Kyle Adcock, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 220 (located in Helena, Mont.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Adcock previously paid $28,213 in restitution. On November 14, 2022, Adcock pleaded guilty to one count of forging a security of an organization affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Roger Harris, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3048 (located in Lompoc, Calif.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of supervised release. Harris was also ordered to pay $20,250 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 17, 2020, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Treasury’s Office of Inspector General for Tax Administration.

On April 6, 2023, in the District Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Doris Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 65 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), was charged with one count of embezzlement, in violation of Section 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On April 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Richard DiArenzo, former Treasurer of Independent Spectrum Workers Union (ISWU), located in Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 75 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. On December 28, 2022, DiArenzo pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On April 5, 2023, in the Concord District Court, Eric Carbonneau, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R1-32 (located in Bedford, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced for one count of larceny over $1,200, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, 30. A continuance without a finding was issued on condition of one year of probation and payment of $2,984 in restitution. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On March 28, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Ahakuelo was also ordered to pay $7,967 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, $4,692 in forfeiture, and a $4,600 special assessment. On November 21, 2022, Ahakuelo was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of one count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and three counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo and her husband, Brian Ahakuelo, former IBEW Local 1260 Business Manager/Financial Secretary, rigged a vote to increase membership dues after largely depleting the union’s coffers. The fraudulent vote caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over 18 months. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On 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.

On March 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas- New Orleans District Office.

On March 14, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Laura Suzanna Wilson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3694 (located in Waddell, Ariz.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $10,019 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On December 14, 2022, Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Attia Little, former property services division operations manager for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised probation. Little also was ordered to pay $399,450 in restitution. On July 1, 2022, Little pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively, for embezzling $503,600. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Denise Richardson, former Secretary Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. She also was ordered to pay $51,657 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 2, 2022, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 6, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Khyle Sherman, former member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 325 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), was indicted on four counts including grand larceny in the third degree, health care fraud in the third degree, forgery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35, 177.15, 170.10, and 170.25, respectively. On October 2, 2022, Sherman was previously charged in a criminal complaint with one count grand larceny in the third degree in excess of $3,000, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.

On March 6, 2023, in the Montgomery County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Jesse Kehler, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84758 (located in Dayton, Ohio), pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft for embezzling $54,354 in union funds, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(3). Kehler entered the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction program and was ordered to complete one to five years of supervision. He was also ordered to pay $24,359 in restitution and to enter a drug treatment facility. All criminal proceedings are stayed during the period of supervision. The resolution follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Dayton, Ohio Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit.

On March 1, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, a former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was sentenced to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $207,948 in forfeiture, a $50,000 fine, and a $1,000 assessment. On November 15, 2021, Henon was found guilty following a five-week trial of one count of conspiracy, eight counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On 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.

On February 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, Israel Valdivia, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 2198 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the approximate amount of $85,863, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Matthew Archer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1325 (formerly located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud for embezzling $91,951 in union funds and filing false LM reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. He was then sentenced to five years of probation and 50 hours of community service. He was ordered to pay $84,462 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. Archer previously paid $9,489 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Lisa Bennett, former Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 204 (located in Pascagoula, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $33,236 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On 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.

On February 14, 2023, in the State of Montana County Court for Yellowstone County, Larry Burk, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 327 (located in Billings, Mont.), was charged with felony theft/embezzlement exceeding $5,000, in violation of MCA 45-6-301(6)[5]. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On February 14, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donald Byers, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 287 (located in Ashville, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $45,373 in union funds and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On February 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The government contends in the plea agreement that Toppert converted SPFPA money and assets with a total approximate value of $63,713 to his personal use. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.

On February 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 30, 2023, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, Dennis Stone, former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), was indicted with three counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-41-3, and six counts of filing a false tax return, in violation of R.I. General Laws 44-30-51(a) and 44-30-94(a)(1). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 30, 2023, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, Christopher Petteruti, former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), was indicted with two counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-41-3. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 25, 2023, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Crystal Mathis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged with one count of theft in the first degree, in violation of D.C. Code 22-3211 and 22-3212(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On January 18, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Donald Fox, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $24,620 and four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Albert Jennings Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge 6061 (located in Roanoke, Va.), was sentenced to six months in prison, three months of home detention, one year of probation, and 300 hours of community service. Jennings was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. Jennings made full restitution of $39,331 prior to sentencing. On September 29, 2022, Jennings 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.

On January 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.

On January 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Manuel Anaya, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers for America (UMWA) Local 3106 (located in Socorro, N.M.), was indicted for 21 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

 

Last Updated: 11-02-23

On November 30, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $25 special assessment.

On September 4, 2019, Rose pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On November 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $25 special assessment.

On September 6, 2019, Brittain pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On November 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Douglas Kelley, former Secretary Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 7750 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $18,011 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On July 25, 2022, Kelley pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, 19 counts of money laundering, and 6 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1957, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively.

Ahakuelo engaged in a conspiracy to divert union funds and property by hiring family members at inflated salaries (some of whom did little or no actual work for the union) and authorized the use of union funds for personal travel, a vehicle, and dining expenditures.

After largely depleting the union’s coffers, Ahakuelo, with the help of his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, and other union employees, rigged a vote to increase membership dues.

The fraudulent election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over about 18 months.

The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and 3 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively.

The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On November 14, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Kyle Adcock, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 220 (located in Helena, Mont.), pleaded guilty to one count of forging a security of an organization affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On November 14, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, James Darin Boatman, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 617 (located in Fort Madison, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $74,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 14, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Terry Bean, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2401 (located in Prescott, Ariz.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud resulting in a loss amount of $80,351, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 10, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Matthew Archer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1325 (formerly located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a two-count information with wire fraud for embezzling approximately $82,462 in union funds and filing false LM-3 reports for fiscal years 2017 and 2018, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 9, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Emmily Jane Henkle, former Treasurer of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local 14-8 (located in Topeka, Kans.), was indicted on one count of theft within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States for a total of $3,079, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On 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.

On November 2, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Denise Richardson, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On November 1, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a non-jury trial of two counts of embezzling union funds and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively.

The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On October 27, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to one day in prison and one year of supervised release.

McKale was ordered to pay $92,913 in restitution and a $10,000 fine. On July 11, 2022, McKale pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax return, in violation 26 U.S.C. 7206(2)).

The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On October 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, John T. Coli, Sr., former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727 (located in Park Ridge, Ill.), was sentenced to 19 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay a $50,000 fine and a $200 assessment. Coli previously paid $300,000 in restitution.

On July 30, 2019, Coli pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a prohibited payment as a union officer, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b)(1) and 186(d)(2), and one count of making a false income tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206.

The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS.

On October 12, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was sentenced to 12 months of probation.

Deal was also ordered to pay $22,982 in restitution. On May 11, 2022, Deal pleaded guilty to one count of making false entries, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On October 12, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Frank Loconte, former NER Construction Management President, was indicted with four counts of mail fraud, one count of theft from an employee benefit plan, and four counts of false ERISA statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, 664, and 1027, respectively, which resulted in a total loss of $1,094,504 to the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council of the Laborers International Union of North America and the Bricklayers and Allied Craftsmen Local 3.

Additionally, Loconte was charged with four counts of failure to collect or pay over taxes totaling $3,096,931, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7202.

The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On October 10, 2022, in the Bexar County Judicial District Court, Jeannette Simmons, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Southwest Gulf Coast Regional Council (located in San Antonio, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of fiduciary property in the amount greater than $30,000 and less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Statute 32.45.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 6, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was charged in an information with making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 5, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Melba Norris, an associate of a former employee of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to six months in prison followed by 24 months of probation.

Norris was also ordered to pay $37,007 in restitution. On May 5, 2022, Norris pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 4, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), John DeFalco, former Vice President of Carpenters Local 157 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of supervised release.

He was also ordered to pay $148,213 in restitution as well as $149,735 in forfeiture.

On June 25, 2019, DeFalco and Salvatore Tagliaferro, former President of Carpenters Local 926 (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a New York City District Council of Carpenters Representative, were indicted as co-conspirators on multiple charges for a scheme to sell union “books” or membership cards (union property) in exchange for cash bribes. On October 27, 2020, DeFalco pleaded guilty to conspiracy, conversion of union assets, honest services wire fraud, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, false statements, and distribution of oxycodone, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2; 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346 and 2; 18 U.S.C. 1512 (b)(1) and 2; 18 U.S.C. 1512(b)(2)(A) and 2; 18 U.S.C. 1001; and 21 U.S.C. 812, 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). In 2021, following a jury trial, Tagliaferro was found guilty of conspiracy, conversion of union assets, and honest services wire fraud, sentenced to five years in prison, and was ordered to pay $145,065 in restitution and $296,400 in forfeiture.

The sentencings follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Public Corruption Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

On September 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Roanoke Division, Albert Jennings, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge 6061 (located in Roanoke, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $39,331 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On 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.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $18,328, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Dusty Diffey, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 253M (located in Simsboro, La.), was charged in a bill of information with embezzling $33,678 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David Mason, former President of United Steelworkers Local 253M (located in Simsboro, La.), was charged in a bill of information with embezzling $24,398 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Daniel Hinton, former Vice President of United Steelworkers Local 253M (located in Simsboro, La.), was charged in a bill of information with embezzling $4,051 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Jay A. Garnsey, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) Local 717 (located in Ilion, N.Y.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $38,173, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). He then pleaded guilty to the charge.

The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Tina Metrolis, former office manager for International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 6 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $25,946.

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 27, 2022, in the Concord District Court in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Eric Carbonneau, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R1-32 (located at the Veterans Center in Bedford, Mass.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of larceny over $1,200, in violation of Massachusetts Law Chapter 266, 30(1).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 23, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Felix Luciano, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2805 (located in San Diego, Calif.), was charged with one count of making false statements and five counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively.

The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.

On September 21, 2022, in Onondaga County, New York, Willie Green, former President of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 435 (located in Syracuse, N.Y.), was arrested and charged through a criminal complaint with one count of grand larceny in the second degree in the amount of $101,713, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.40.

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the New York State Police.

On September 16, 2022, in the Southern District of Mississippi, Benton Ryals, former Financial Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1437 (located in Laurel, Miss.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 14, 2022, in the County Court of Buffalo County, Nebraska, Rodney Schuller, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3749 (located in Grand Island, Neb.), was sentenced to 270 days in jail and 24 months of probation.

He was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution. On April 28, 2022, Schuller pleaded no contest to two counts of attempted theft, in violation of Nebraska Code 28-201 and 28-511.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 14, 2022, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Michael Oldham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1900 (located in Taunton, Mass.), was sentenced to jail time served, nine months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release.

Oldham was also ordered to pay $35,900 in restitution and a $3,000 fine. On April 13, 2022, Oldham pleaded guilty to 26 counts of wire fraud, one count of false statements, and three counts of filing false tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1001(a), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 13, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Richard DiArenzo, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Independent Spectrum Workers Union (ISWU) (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of making false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 8, 2022, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, Anthony Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 26 (located in Chester, VA), was sentenced to six months of home detention and 24 months of probation, and was fined $4,000.

Jordan had previously paid full restitution of $30,519. On May 11, 2022, Jordan pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On 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.

On August 26, 2022, in the 19th Judicial Circuit of Alabama in Autauga County, Lawrence Ford, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-1978 (located in Milbrook, Ala.), was charged with one count of theft of property in excess of $2,500, in violation of Alabama Code 13A-8-3.

The indictment follows an investigation by the Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On August 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathon Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Bruno, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and 80 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a special monetary assessment of $300. Restitution will be determined at a future hearing.

On April 1, 2022, Ortino was found guilty by a jury on three counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements on Form LM-3, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2), respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 24, 2022, in the Municipal Court of Franklin County, Ohio, Mary Wolff, former President of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 7 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged with one count of theft valued at $7,500 or more, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02.

The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On August 24, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Kyle Adcock, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 220 (located in Helena, Mont.), was charged with forgery of a security, the falsification of annual financial disclosure reports, and the embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $21,725, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513, 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco Seattle District Office.

On August 15, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Marie LeClair, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2617 (located in Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement concurrent with three years of probation.

LeClair was also ordered to pay $29,050 in restitution for items including bonus bucks payments and personal phone and debit card charges.

On June 1, 2022, LeClair pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $3,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General.

On August 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 President Carlos C. Sanchez-Ortiz, union members Pedro Pastrana-Gonzalez and Iara I.

Clemente-Rivera, and Puerto Rico Ports Authority employee Jorge I. Batista-Maldonado were indicted with racketeering conspiracy, Hobbs Act extortion conspiracy and mail and wire fraud conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d), 18 U.S.C. 1951, and 18 U.S.C. 1349, respectively.

In addition, Sanchez-Ortiz, Pastrana-Gonzalez, and Clemente-Rivera were charged with conspiracy to violate the Taft Hartley Act and money laundering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1956(h), respectively.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $1,184,524 plus other property in connection with the RICO and money laundering charges.

Finally, Pastrana-Gonzalez, Clemente-Rivera and three other union members (Victor F. Torres-Barroso, Jose A. Fernandez- Cruz, and Carlos A. Hernandez-Laguer) were charged with conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records in an employee benefit plan and health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1347, respectively.

The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On August 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Glenn Lovelace, former business manager for Insulators Local 114 (located in Brandon, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On 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.

On August 3, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, Denise Kovacs, former bookkeeper for Plumbers Local 803 (located in Orlando, Fla.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $304,903, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta- Nashville District Office.

On July 26, 2022, in the Niagara Falls City Court for the State of New York, Jerome Newton, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1263, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Security Union (located in Niagara Falls, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to attempted petit larceny, in violation of NYS Penal Code 110-155.25.

He was then sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge. Newton previously paid $2,421 in restitution.

The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On July 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Timothy Edmunds, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 412 (located in Warren, Mich.), was sentenced to 57 months in prison. He was ordered to pay $1,963,740 in restitution, and a $1,000,000 fine. Edmunds previously paid $260,715 in restitution.

On March 25, 2022, Edmunds pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $2,224,455 in union funds and one count of money laundering, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1957, respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit- Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Douglas Kelley, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 7750 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $18,011 from his union.

He then pleaded guilty to the charge.

The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On July 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Peggy Garrow, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3496 (located in Marquette, Mich.), was sentenced to one day in jail (with credit for time served) and one year of probation.

Garrow was also ordered to pay a $300 fine and a $25 special assessment fee. She previously paid $6,953 in restitution before the sentencing.

On April 28, 2022, Garrow pleaded guilty to one count of willfully falsifying a labor organization annual report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 14, 2022, in United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Jesus Jose Mendez, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island businessman and employer/owner of two construction industry companies (one unionized and one non-union) was sentenced to three years of probation, the first 52 weekends to be served in detention.

On April 7, 2022, Mendez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1343, respectively. Mendez was ordered to pay restitution totaling $2,821,463 to the Internal Revenue Service and $62,730 to the Massachusetts Department of Labor.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On July 12, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Gary F. Fridley II, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 8621 (located in Nitro, WVa.), was indicted on five counts of bank fraud, one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 18 U.S.C. 1028A, respectively, for embezzling $19,732 from his union.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On July 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(2).

The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 1, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Attia Little, former Property Services Division Operations Manager for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.

Little pleaded guilty to embezzling $503,600 from the union by using the union credit card to purchase personal items, to pay several shell companies created by Little and her co-conspirator, to purchase more than $200,000 in gift cards that she used for personal purchases, and booking personal travel costs for family, friends, and associates through the union’s travel booking platform and then keeping the money that they paid to a fake company that she created.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Attia Little, former Property Services Division Operations Manager for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $503,600 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Dorothy Ferguson, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2516 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation.

She was also ordered to pay $16,604 in restitution. On March 29, 2022, Ferguson pleaded guilty to one count of theft within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Scott E. Rodgers, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 314 (located in Hazelwood, Mo.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation. Rodgers was also ordered to pay $78,765 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.

On January 26, 2022, Rodgers pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 27, 2022, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Joshua Fernandes, former Treasurer of the New Bedford Police Union (NBPU) (located in New Bedford, Mass.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release, the first six months of which will consist of home confinement.

He was also ordered to pay $47,851 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 13, 2021, Fernandes pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On June 16, 2022, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, Wareham District Court, Brian Simmons, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 18 (located in Middleboro, Mass.), was charged with one count of larceny over $250, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c.266, §30(1).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On June 9, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, George Bindas Jr., former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1295 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and two years of probation.

Bindas was also ordered to pay $219,999 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. On January 21, 2022, Bindas pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds and one count of theft from an employee welfare benefit plan, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On June 7, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Richardson, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was indicted for wire fraud, using false documents, aggravated identity theft, and criminal forfeiture, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3), 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1), 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C), and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c), respectively.

The indictment notes that Richardson embezzled at least $51,657 as part of her fraudulent scheme.

The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On May 24, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Verdine Day, former Treasurer of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 344, Detroit Fire Fighters Association (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and 24 months of supervised release.

She was also ordered to pay $220,044 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On December 2, 2021, Day pleaded guilty to bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On 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.

On May 19, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Brian Gerald, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-189 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $112,594, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 19, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Kenneth Vorlob, former Financial Secretary/Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 557 (located in Kenosha, Wisc.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Vorlob was also ordered to pay $6,373 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Vorlob previously paid $6,454 in restitution before being sentenced. On February 18, 2022, Vorlob pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $12,827, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On May 16, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Kevin Crownover, former Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 2947 (located in Armona, Calif.), was sentenced to 25 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervision.

Crownover was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,463 and a $200 special assessment. On November 10, 2021, Crownover was found guilty by a jury following a two-day trial of one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1028A, respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On May 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Anthony Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 26 (located in Chester, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization totaling $30,519, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On May 5, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Melba Norris, an associate of a former employee of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), located in Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On 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 Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Peggy Garrow, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3496 (located in Marquette, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of willfully falsifying a labor organization annual report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth Baumgarner, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1147 (located in Grand Haven, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation.

He was also ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Baumgarner previously made restitution totaling $6,600. On January 5, 2022, Baumgarner pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,600, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Phelton Woods, former Treasurer of the Columbus School Employee Association (CSEA), located in Columbus, Ohio, was indicted on 12 counts of bank fraud for approximately $60,685, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2).

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On April 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, Anthony Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 26 (located in Chester, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $30,519 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On April 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Marie LeClair, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2617 (located in Boston, Mass.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of wire fraud in the amount of $3,000 for a scheme to defraud the union and one count of aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 2, respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 15, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Whitbeck, former Vice President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 274 (located in Allentown, Pa.), was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervision.

Whitbeck was also ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, $32,600 in forfeiture, and a $2,000 special assessment. On November 3, 2021, Whitbeck pleaded guilty to 10 counts of honest services wire fraud and 10 counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the United States Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 14, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Melba Norris, an associate of a former employee of the Service Employees International Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement and one count of one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371.

The criminal information states that Norris was part of a conspiracy to embezzle $503,600 from the union by using the union credit card to pay $60,000 in fraudulent invoices to fraudulent companies and purchasing $204,000 in gift cards for personal use, among other things.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 13, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Michael Oldham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1900 (located in Taunton, Mass.), pleaded guilty to 26 counts of wire fraud totaling $35,900 for checks written from the union’s bank account, one count of false statements for filing a false LM-3 report, and three counts of filing false tax returns in the amount of $233,970, which resulted in fraudulent refunds totaling $18,237, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1001(a), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), respectively.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On April 7, 2022, in the United States District Court, District of Rhode Island, Jesus Jose Mendez, a Woonsocket, Rhode Island businessman (an employer/owner of two construction industry companies – one unionized and one non-union), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On April 5, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Peggy Garrow, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3496 (located in Marquette, Mich.), was charged by information with one count of willfully falsifying a labor organization annual report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 1, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathon Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Bruno, Calif.), was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial on three counts of wire fraud and two counts of making false statements (related to the LM-3 report), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2), respectively.

The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 30, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Peter Burns, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 5632 (located in Fontana, Calif.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Burns was also ordered to pay $24,619 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.

On August 13, 2021, Burns 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 Los Angeles District Office.

On March 29, 2022, in the United States District Court of the Western District of Texas, Dorothy Ferguson, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2516 (located in El Paso, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 28, 2022, in the Niagara County Court in the State of New York, Jerome Newton, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1263, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Security Union (located in Niagara Falls, N.Y.), was charged in a felony complaint with one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree for unauthorized and personal usage of union funds in excess of $1,000, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.30.

The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston- Buffalo District Office with assistance from the Niagara Falls Police Department.

On March 25, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Timothy Edmunds, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 412 (located in Warren, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $2.2 million in union funds and one count of money laundering, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1957, respectively.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 23, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Dawn Munoz, former outside bookkeeper for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1929 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was indicted on four counts of making and subscribing a false return, nine counts of aiding and abetting in the preparation and presentation of a false return, and three counts of bank fraud, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), 26 U.S.C. 7206(2), and 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 22, 2022, in the 404th Judicial District Court of Cameron County, Texas, Michael Paul Garza, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1093 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), was sentenced to 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections; the sentence was suspended to 10 years of probation.

He was also ordered to pay $6,844 in restitution, a $1,000 fine, and various other court fees. Lastly, he was ordered to submit to random testing for alcohol and/or drugs at the defendant’s expense, to be assessed and/or screened by the Community Supervision and Corrections Department to determine placement in any program and/or caseload deemed necessary by the Texas Risk Assessment System, and to submit to any other programs deemed necessary by the Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

On February 15, 2022, Garza pleaded guilty to felony theft of property by a public servant, in the amount greater than $2,500 and less than $30,000, and felony theft enhancement, in the amount greater than $2,500 and less than $30,000, in violation of Texas Statute 31.03(f)(1-3) and 31.03(f), respectively.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 22, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Earl Roberts, former President of Steelworkers Local 2-4 (formally located in Yale, Mich., now disbanded), was sentenced to 30 months of probation including six months of home confinement. Roberts was also ordered to pay $45,916 in restitution and a $300 special assessment.

On November 30, 2021, Roberts pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 18, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Defense Protective Service Labor Committee (located in Arlington, Va.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $384,001 in restitution.

On March 25, 2021, Penn pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James Michael Foote, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-137 (located in Manchester, Tenn.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.

Foote was also ordered to pay $86,268 in restitution and a $100 fine. On October 19, 2021, Foote pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 8, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Glenn Lovelace, former business manager for Insulators Local 114 (located in Brandon, Miss.), was indicted with one count of embezzling $12,360 from an employee benefit plan and one count of embezzling $51,350 from a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664 and 29 U.S.C 501(c), respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 8, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, Nintay Edwards, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 8-694 (located in Richmond, Va.), was sentenced to 12 months of home detention and five years of probation. Edwards was also ordered to pay $66,684 in restitution.

On October 14, 2021, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $66,684 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On March 3, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brian Walker, former Vice President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1504 (located in Galveston, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and five years of probation, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to pay $38,237 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On December 3, 2021, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 1, 2022, in the District Court of Inglewood, California, Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $10,039, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(A).

Sloan was then sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $10,039 in restitution.

The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

On February 28, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Stephen Rooze, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Local 662 (located in Burbank, Calif.), was sentenced to six months in a home detention program and three years of probation.

He was also ordered to pay $1,078 in restitution and a $400 special assessment. Rooze previously paid $127,943 in restitution.

On August 30, 2021, Rooze pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On February 18, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Kenneth Vorlob, former Financial Secretary/Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 557 (located in Kenosha, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $12,827, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 15, 2022, in the 404th Judicial District Court of Cameron County, Texas, Michael Paul Garza, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1093 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft of property by a public servant, in the amount greater than $2,500 and less than $30,000, and one count of felony theft enhancement, in the amount greater than $2,500 and less than $30,000, in violation of Texas Statute 31.03(f)(1-3) and 31.03(f), respectively.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 2, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Linda Carter Shepherd, former Financial Secretary for Steelworkers Local 14637 (located in Hazard, Ky.), was sentenced to three months of home detention and five years of probation.

She was also ordered to pay $39,491 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On June 21, 2021, Shepherd 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 Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 2, 2022, in the State of Connecticut, Superior Court District of Hartford, Carey L. Mallach, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3949, West Hartford Dormitory Supervisors (located in West Hartford, Conn.), was charged in an information with one count of larceny in the second degree for embezzling $17,800 from the union and two counts of forgery in the second degree in connection with his signing and filing two LM-3 reports, both of which contained false financial information, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes 53a-123 and 531-139, respectively.

The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office with assistance from the State of Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice Office of the Chief State’s Attorney.

On January 26, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Scott E. Rodgers, President of Postal Mail Handlers Local 314 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, George Bindas Jr., former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1295 (formerly located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $1,751 and one count of theft from an employee welfare benefit plan in the amount of $18,319, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively.

The plea agreement stipulates that $220,000 is a reasonable estimate of the actual and intended loss for both crimes.

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On January 13, 2022, in Michigan’s 16th Circuit Court, Jonathan Suminski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2077 (located on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.), was charged in a one-count felony complaint for embezzling more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, in violation of MCL 750.174(4)(a).

The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 13, 2022, in Michigan’s 16th Circuit Court, Darold Hubbard, former Executive Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2077 (located on the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.), was charged in a one-count felony complaint for embezzling more than $1,000 but less than $20,000, in violation of MCL 750.174(4)(a).

The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 5, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth Baumgarner, President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1147 (located in Grand Haven, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $6,600, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).

The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 18, 2021, 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 sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $12,765 in restitution, a $100 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On May 18, 2021, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 17, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) US LLC (located in Detroit, Mich.) was sentenced to 36 months of probation, fined $30,000,000, and ordered to pay a $400 special assessment fee. On March 1, 2021, FCA pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. FCA knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby it paid and delivered over $3.5 million in money and things of value to officers and employees of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., from 2009 through 2016. The prohibited payments and things of value included the payment of approximately $262,000 to satisfy the outstanding mortgage on the residence of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield; $25,000 for a party for former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell; and over $30,000 in meals for UAW officials at various restaurants in Palm Springs and Southern California. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 13, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Peter Burns, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 5632 (located in Fontana, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $1,137, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On August 12, 2021, in the United States District Court of the Western District of Texas, Karen Pierce, former office manager of Plumbers Local 142 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $112,759 in restitution. On July 22, 2020, Pierce pleaded guilty to one count of theft of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District office.

On August 11, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Brenda Walters, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 7 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), was sentenced to 60 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $95,100 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 24, 2021, Walters pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 3, 2021, in the Bexar County Judicial District Court, Jeannette Simmons, former bookkeeper for the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Union (SMART) Southwest Gulf Coast Regional Council (SWGCRC), located in San Antonio, Tex., was charged with one count of theft, one count of misapplication of fiduciary property, and one count of forgery in the aggregate amount greater than $30,000 and less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Codes 31.03, 32.45, and 32.21, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Roderick Marvin Bennett, former Chief of Staff for the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), located in Washington, D.C., was found guilty by a jury following a five-day trial of one count of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347. The guilty verdict is the result of Bennett arranging union employee health plan coverage for his girlfriend, who was never a union employee and not eligible to participate in the plan. Bennett was the LIUNA Chief of Staff for approximately four years until October 2016. The current conviction is in addition to Bennett’s January 2018 guilty plea to three counts of theft from a labor organization stemming from his unauthorized personal purchases – exceeding $150,000 – on his LIUNA-issued credit card. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 22, 2021, in the United States District Court of the Central District of California, Aja Jasmin, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 350-C (located in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), was sentenced to 28 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. She was ordered to pay $185,000 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On October 30, 2020, Jasmin pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Andrew Brown, Benefits Coordinator for the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was charged by indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud of $500,000 and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

On 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 Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 19, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joshua Fernandes, former Treasurer of the New Bedford Police Union (located in New Bedford, Mass.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the amount of $48,630, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On July 16, 2021, in the State of Connecticut, Superior Court District of Meriden, Adriana Garcia, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 4-753 (located in Meriden, Conn.), was arrested and charged in an information with one count of larceny in the 3rd degree for embezzling $7,596 from the union, in violation of CGS 53a-124(a)(3). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Office of the Chief State’s Attorney, State of Connecticut.

On July 16, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Anthony F. Rockman, Secretary Treasurer of Textile Workers Local 1 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), pleaded guilty to a one-count information for obstruction of justice (destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations and bankruptcy), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1519. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 16, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Steven Whittick, former Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and one count of false statements to federal investigators, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1001, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation.

On July 15, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Kurt Kittleson, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 151D (located in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. Prior to sentencing, Kittleson paid restitution in the amount of $19,800. On April 22, 2021, Kittleson pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On July 8, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of United Steelworkers Local 145 (located in Sapulpa, Okla.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $19,900 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 8, 2021, Burkhart pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 7, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, George Bindas Jr., former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1295 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), was charged with seven counts of theft from an employee benefit plan totaling $77,019 and seven counts of embezzlement of union funds totaling $6,598, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664 and 29 U.S.C 501(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On July 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Scott Wilson, former Director of Information and Technology for Operating Engineers Local 3 (located in Alameda, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On July 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Vance Pearson, former Regional Director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 5 (formerly located in St. Louis, Mo.), was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. Pearson was also ordered to pay $250,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment fee. On February 7, 2020, Pearson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds and to use a facility of interstate commerce to aid a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1952(a)(3), and 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On June 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rachel Marie Gleason, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1700 (located in Perris, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 28, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Linda Carter Shepherd, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 14637 (located in Hazard, Ky.), pleaded guilty to a one-count information of embezzlement of union funds totaling $39,492, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 23, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Rittenhouse, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1320 (located in Grandville, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Rittenhouse was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $100 special assessment. Rittenhouse previously paid $1,425 in restitution. On March 10, 2021, Rittenhouse pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Yvette Luster, former Treasurer of Postal Mail Handlers Local 314 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 15, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Anthony F. Rockman, Secretary Treasurer of Textile Workers Local 1 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1519. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 10, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Gary Jones, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 28 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release. As part of the sentence, Jones was also ordered to pay $550,000 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, and a $200 special assessment fee. Jones was also ordered to forfeit $153,257, a custom-made set of Titleist golf clubs, and various golf clothing and equipment. The $153,257 included $31,000 in cash, $83,613 held in Jones’ “Flower Fund” account, and $38,644 from Jones’ Members in Solidarity account. The Members in Solidarity account was intended for use in internal UAW political campaigns. On June 3, 2020, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle more than $1 million in union funds and use a facility of interstate commerce to aid racketeering activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1952(a)(3) and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On June 9, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Nathan Grimes, former correspondence secretary and office manager for Stage and Picture Operators Local 333 (located in Charleston, S.C.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds and wire fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively. The charges follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On June 1, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Scott Wilson, former Information Technology Director for International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 3 (located in Alameda, Calif.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of labor organization assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows a joint investigation conducted by the OLMS Seattle-San Francisco District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 26, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lorena Becerra, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14904 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On May 26, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of electronically monitored home confinement and 24 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $40,455 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On January 12, 2021, Rogers 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 New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 20, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Harold Bryan Weatherford, former Treasurer of the National Staff Organization, Professional Staff Association (located in Plano, Tex.), was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of house arrest, and three years of probation. Weatherford was also ordered to pay $73,949 in restitution. On September 17, 2020, Weatherford pleaded guilty to embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 19, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald “Gus” Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to two years in prison. Dougherty was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $358,913 and a $125,000 fine. On January 21, 2021, Dougherty pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)) and one count of theft from employee benefit plans (18 U.S.C. 664). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On May 18, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Connie Deal, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was charged in a two-count information with making a false statement in a report required to be filed with the Secretary of Labor and making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b) and 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 18, 2021, 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 Waco, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 11, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dennis Williams, former President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 21 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release. Williams was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $100 special assessment. Williams also paid over $130,000 in restitution before being sentenced. On September 30, 2020, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On April 28, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Tagliaferro, former President of Carpenters Local 926 (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a former New York City District Council of Carpenters Representative, was found guilty following a five-day trial on all charges relating to a scheme to sell union “books” or membership cards(union property) for cash bribes. Specifically, Tagliaferro was found guilty of conversion of union assets (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1346 and 1343), aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2) both the conversion of union assets and the honest services wire fraud, as well as conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371). The verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Public Corruption Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

On April 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Kurt Kittleson, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 151D (located in Rancho Palos Verde, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On April 22, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Scott Merritt, former Financial Secretary of Ironworkers Local 470 (located in Jamestown, N.Y.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $50,850, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On April 21, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Matthew Cuomo, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1047 (located in Kenner, La.), was sentenced to three years of probation. He was ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On September 30, 2020, Cuomo pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 20, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Jennifer Rogers, former member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of electronically monitored home confinement and 24 months of probation. She was also ordered to pay $40,455 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On December 1, 2020, Rogers pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 16, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Michael Wood, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3957 (located in Grant, La.), was charged in a bill of information with one count of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 13, 2021, in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Whitbeck, former Vice President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 274 (located in Allentown, Pa.), was indicted on 10 counts of honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1346, and 10 counts of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 13, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Hasan Zahdeh, President of Michigan Union of Healthcare Workers (MUHW), (located in Muskegon, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $140,498, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On April 8, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of Steelworkers Local 145 (located in Sapulpa, Okla.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $19,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 6, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Trey Huffty, former President of Steelworkers Local 1731 (located in White Hall, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,368, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Huffty then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 30, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), was sentenced to 24 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $7,708 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On September 17, 2019, Douglas pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 25, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Thomas Burkhart, former President of Steelworkers Local 145 (located in Sapulpa, Okla.), 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.

On March 25, 2021, in Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, Lamar Elliott, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians Chapter 134 (located in Clinton, Md.), 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.

On March 25, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Pentagon Force Protection Agency (located in Arlington, Va.), 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.

On March 24, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Kenneth Morris, former Treasurer of Teachers Local 2240 (located in Kentfield, Calif.), was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $101,583 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 20, 2019, Morris pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud in the amount of $101,583, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.

On March 24, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Brenda G. Walters, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Muskogee Area Local 7 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $95,100, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 18, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Kurt Kittleson, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 151D (located in Rancho Palos Verde, Calif.), was charged in a one-count information with making a false statement in a report required to be filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 12, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Stephen Rooze, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 662 (located in Burbank, Calif.), was charged in a four-count indictment for embezzling $140,064 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 10, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Rodney Priestley, former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1504-8 (located in Galveston, Tex.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $32,230, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 10, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brian Walker, former Vice President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1504-8 (located in Galveston, Tex.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $20,001, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 10, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Rittenhouse, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1320 (located in Grandville, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 5, 2021, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, County Department, Criminal Division, Milton Thomas, former shop chairman of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 890 (located in Morton Grove, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/17-3(a)(1). He was then sentenced to two years of probation. He was also ordered to avoid contact with UAW Local 890 and Xylem Corporation, to submit to DNA indexing, and to pay a $75 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Gregory Fiocca, a member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a)), 18 counts of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a), (b)(2)), and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 3, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a)), 18 counts of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951(a), (b)(2)), and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 1, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. FCA knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby it paid and delivered over $3.5 million in money and things of value to officers and employees of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., from 2009 through 2016. The prohibited payments and things of value included the payment of approximately $262,000 to satisfy the outstanding mortgage on the residence of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield, $25,000 for a party for former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, and over $30,000 in meals for UAW officials at various restaurants in Palm Springs and Southern California. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On February 25, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Jeffrey Phillips, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 836 (located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine), was sentenced to two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $57,611 in restitution, a $2,400 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On February 27, 2020, Phillips pleaded guilty to taking and carrying away personal property within the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States in the amount of $57,611, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On 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 Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 11, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Aja Jasmin, former President of United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 350C (located in Ontario, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, as part of a scheme to defraud and embezzle approximately $190,000 from the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 11, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kathryn A. Connelly, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 707 (located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation. She was also ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Connelly previously paid $10,323 in restitution. On September 28, 2020, Connelly pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $10,323, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

On February 1, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, John Sammons, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1872 (located in Shaw AFB, S.C.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, including six months of home incarceration, and he was ordered to pay a $5,500 fine. Sammons previously paid $17,261 in restitution. On February 28, 2020, Sammons pleaded guilty to one count of theft, in excess of $1,000, within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 29, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Edward C. Davis, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 620 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of confinement and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $61,386 in restitution. On September 16, 2020, Davis pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 28, 2021, in the United States District Court of New Jersey, Dorothy McBride, former President and Fund Administrator of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81427 (located in Montville, N.J.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $100,000 and one count of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan in the amount of $534,470, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 664, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 27, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Edward “Nick” Robinson, former President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Midwest CAP Council (located in Louis, Mo.), was sentenced to one year in prison and one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $200 special assessment. Restitution will be determined at a later date. On March 2, 2020, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle approximately $1,500,000 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), by submitting fraudulent vouchers to the UAW that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses and by using unauthorized checks to divert funds from the UAW Midwest CAP. Robinson also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for failing to report over $1,500,000 in income on the IRS Form 990 returns filed by the UAW and UAW Midwest CAP and for failing to report the income on his Form 1040 tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On January 27, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), located in Detroit, Mich., was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. FCA was charged with knowingly joining a conspiracy whereby it paid and delivered over $3.5 million in money and things of value to officers and employees of the United Auto Workers (UAW), also located in Detroit, Mich., from 2009 through 2016. The prohibited payments and things of value included the payment of approximately $262,000 to satisfy the outstanding mortgage on the residence of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield, $25,000 for a party for former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell, and over $30,000 in meals for UAW officials at various restaurants in Palm Springs and Southern California. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On January 21, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald “Gus” Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), and one count of theft from employee benefit plans, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On January 12, 2021, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pleaded guilty to count one of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Between July 2016 and August 2017, Rogers’ daughter Jennifer Rogers, former member of AFSCME Local 2254, illegally wrote 111 checks to Linda Rogers and deposited them into their joint checking and savings account. Linda Rogers also wire transferred union funds from the union’s savings account to her personal credit card. The total loss to the union was approximately $40,455. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 12, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Rittenhouse, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 1320 (located in Grandville, Mich.), was indicted with one count of embezzlement and one count of false entry in a record required to be kept by a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

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) Local 314 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was charged with one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, totaling $80,765, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 5, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, John S. Romero, former President of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to 12 years of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay a $1,400 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later hearing. On February 12, 2020, after a six-day trial, a jury found Romero guilty of one count of conspiracy (18. U.S.C. 371), 12 counts of theft of approximately $800,000 in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 669), and one count of filing a false financial report with the Department of Labor, in which he failed to properly report the existence of more than $100,00 in receipts and disbursements (18 U.S.C. 1001). The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 5, 2021, in the District Court of Inglewood, California, Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged with one count of grand theft in the amount of $10,039, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(A). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

On January 5, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Hasan Zahdeh, President of Michigan Union of Healthcare Workers (MUHW), located in Muskegon, Mich., was indicted for embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C), 18 U.S.C. 982(b)(1), and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c). On December 11, 2020, a criminal complaint, along with an arrest warrant, was filed against Zahdeh alleging an embezzlement of union funds of at least $15,640. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.

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Source: Quoted verbatim from the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

U.S. DOL 12/17/2020 Update

On December 3, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sarah Geddes Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 24 (located in Clinton, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and one count of bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344) for embezzling $294,585 from the union, forging the signature of the union president on checks, and altering information in the union’s accounting software. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 1, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Jennifer Rogers, former member of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pleaded guilty to count one of an indictment charging her with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2. The total loss to the union was approximately $40,455. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 25, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371) and three counts of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(2)). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 25, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald “Gus” Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of a false statement to a bank (18 U.S.C. 1014), one count of bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344), 10 counts of false statements – ERISA (18 U.S.C. 1027), and 18 counts of theft from employee benefit plans (18 U.S.C. 664). The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 23, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sarah Geddes Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 24 (located in Clinton, Md.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and one count of bank fraud (18 U.S.C. 1344) for embezzling $294,585 from the union. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors (GM) Department and former director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources (CHR), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 30 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release. Ashton was also ordered to forfeit $250,000 in proceeds from his crimes and to pay a $200 special assessment. On December 4, 2019, Ashton pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)). Ashton knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby he and others used their positions with the UAW and CHR to enrich themselves by obtaining a $250,000 loan from a vendor, assisting the same vendor in obtaining a contract from CHR valued at over $3,900,000, and then suggesting that the profits would repay the vendor what was owed on the loan. After the vendor was awarded the contract from the CHR, Ashton demanded at least $250,000 in kickbacks. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On November 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), was sentenced to 12 months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and three years of supervised release. Garcia was also ordered to pay $119,021 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On June 23, 2020, Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On November 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first six months on a curfew with location monitoring. He was also ordered to pay $9,317 in restitution. On March 6, 2020, Johnson pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police Defense Protective Service Labor Committee (located in Arlington, Va.), was indicted on seven counts of wire fraud for embezzling $384,001 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the FBI.

On November 5, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Douglas B. Dye, former unit chairman of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 12 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was sentenced to one year of probation on each of the two counts in the indictment (probation to run concurrently) and 60 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and a $125 special assessment. The court acknowledged that Dye previously paid restitution of $8,490. On July 15, 2020, Dye pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $8,443 and one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 5, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, Brenda Wilson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3841 (located in Columbia, S.C.), was indicted for willfully and knowingly making a false, fictitious, and fraudulent statement in a matter within the jurisdiction of the executive branch of the Government of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001 (a)(2). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 2, 2020, in Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Tyrone Johnson, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3374 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft having a value of at least $100 but less than $1,500 and one count of embezzlement, in violation of Sections 7-104 and 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 2, 2020, in Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Dorothy Jordan, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3374 (located in Baltimore, Md.), 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 for embezzling $2,206 from the union, in violation of Sections 7-104 and 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On October 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Aja Jasmin, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 350C (located in Ontario, Calif.), was charged in a two-count information with wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1028(a)(1), respectively, in a scheme to defraud and embezzle approximately $190,000 from the union. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 19, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sandra King, former President of the Federation of Police and Security (FOPS) and the former President of the Alliance of Independent Workers (AIW), both located in Owings Mills, Maryland, was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home detention, and two years of supervised probation for embezzling from both of these unions. King was also ordered to pay $57,328 in restitution. On July 21, 2020, King pleaded guilty to 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.

On October 15, 2020, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, a criminal complaint was filed charging Charles Farris, Jr., former President of the New Castle Federation of Teachers (located in New Castle, Pa.), with one misdemeanor count of theft by unlawful taking – movable property, five felony counts of theft by unlawful taking – movable property, and five felony counts of access device fraud – use is unauthorized for any reason, in violation of 18 Pa. Criminal Code 3921(a) and 4106(A1IV), respectively. Farris embezzled approximately $35,887 in federation funds. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Detective Bureau.

On October 15, 2020, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Rick E. Drain, former business manager for Laborers Local 1085 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $59,181 in restitution and a $100 assessment. Drain previously paid $50,281 in restitution. On July 13, 2020, Drain pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $50,281, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On 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.

On October 13, 2020, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Michael Oldham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1900 (located in Taunton, Mass.), was indicted with 29 counts of wire fraud totaling $38,970, one count of false statements, and three counts of filing false tax returns in the amount of $233,970, which resulted in fraudulent refunds totaling $18,237, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1001(a), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), respectively. The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 853(p) and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c). The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On October 10, 2020, in the District Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, Quincy Jones, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Naval District of Washington Labor Committee (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged with one count of theft more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, in violation of Maryland Code Criminal Law Section 7-104. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On October 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Jamie Zambrano and Jose Jesus Mendez, two union employers from Boston, Mass., were indicted on the following charges: one count of conspiracy to defraud, 17 counts of failure to collect and pay over taxes, one count of tax evasion, one count of structuring financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 26 U.S.C. 7202, 26 U.S.C. 7201, 31 U.S.C. 5324, and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively. Zambrano and Mendez conspired to defraud the government by creating two drywall corporations and paying employees cash in order to avoid legal wage rates, IRS payments, and levies. In furtherance of their conspiracy, Zambrano and Mendez used check cashing businesses to cash more than 600 business receipt checks totaling approximately $19 million dollars. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, IRS, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On October 7, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Yvette Luster, former Treasurer of Postal Mail Handlers Local 314 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $184,138, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 2, 2020, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Cathy Byers, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 6540 (located in Ronceverte, W.Va.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and five years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Byers previously paid $22,000 in restitution. On June 16, 2020, Byers pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the approximate amount of $22,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 1, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Rocky Gannon, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2302 (located in Fort Knox, Ky.), was sentenced to 15 months of home incarceration, four years of probation, and 250 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $116,353 in restitution and a $1,200 assessment. On June 25, 2020, Gannon pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and nine counts of forged securities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 513(a), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Matthew Cuomo, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1047 (located in Kenner, La.), pleaded guilty to one count of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513. Cuomo forged over 50 checks resulting in a $15,000 loss to the union. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dennis Williams, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich.,pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c). During the course of the conspiracy, from at least 2010 and continuing through in or about September 2019, Williams embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $71,500 in union funds, which included accepting a villa in Palm Springs, California in December 2015, 2016, and 2018 that was paid for with UAW funds and $6,000 in golf gift certificates. Throughout the conspiracy, which included many other top UAW officials, including Williams’ successor, Gary Jones, Williams and his co-conspirators embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the UAW for the personal benefit of themselves and other high-ranking UAW officers. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On September 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chad Michael Waldoch, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers Local 980 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was sentenced to 30 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $50,270 and a $100 assessment. Waldoch previously paid $56,436 in restitution. On June 12, 2020, Waldoch pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $107,707, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On September 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Dana Roush, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 403 (located in Spartanburg, S.C.), was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,089. On October 22, 2019, Roush 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 Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 28, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kathryn A. Connelly, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 707 (located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds in the amount of $10,323, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

On September 24, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Marcus Asay, founder of the American Labor Alliance (ALA), located in Fresno, Calif., was charged in a 19-count superseding indictment for wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(1), 1341, 1349, 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Social Security Administration.

On September 24, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Antonio Gastelum, a former officer of the American Labor Alliance (ALA), located in Fresno, Calif., was charged in a 19-count superseding indictment for wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(1), 1341, 1349, 1956(a)(1)(B)(i), 1957, and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Social Security Administration.

On September 22, 2020, in the United States District for the Eastern District of Tennessee, James Michael Foote, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-137 (located in Manchester, Tenn.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $86,268, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 22, 2020, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Misty Fain, former office manager for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 120 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of union funds with a value of at least $750 and less than $50,000, in violation of I.C. 35-43-4-2(a) and I.C. 35-43-4-2(a)(1)(A). Fain was then sentenced to one year in prison (suspended) and one year of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Harold Bryan Weatherford, former Treasurer of National Staff Organization (NSO), Professional Staff Association (located in Tomball, Tex.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds totaling $82,560, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 16, 2020, in the 337th District Court of Harris County, Texas, Moises Romero, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Lodge 811 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of misapplication of fiduciary property in the approximate amount of $500 – $1,500, in violation of Texas Statute 32.45. As a condition of Romero’s plea agreement, he previously paid restitution of $21,342. He was then sentenced to two years of deferred adjudication. Romero was also ordered to submit a written letter of apology to the Secretary-Treasurer of Lodge 811. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 16, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Edward C. Davis, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 620 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $61,386, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Travis Cofer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-990 (located in Maryville, Tenn.), was sentenced to two years of probation. Cofer was also ordered to pay $9,608 in restitution and an assessment of $100. Cofer previously paid $2,824 in restitution. On January 23, 2020, Cofer pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 14, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Edward C. Davis, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 620 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $61,386, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 10, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers of America (USW) Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation including six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring. He was also ordered to pay $33,224 in restitution and a fine of $3,000. On June 9, 2020, Arnold 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.

On September 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rachel Marie Gleason, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1700 (located in Perris, Calif.), was charged by indictment with one count of embezzlement and theft of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On September 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth Wynder Jr, former President of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was charged in a 13-count superseding indictment for wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion, false statements to federal agents, and obstruction of a grand jury investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, 371, 1001, 1343, 1512, and 26 U.S.C. 7201. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Steven Whittick, former Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was charged in a 13-count superseding indictment for wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States, tax evasion, false statements to federal agents, and obstruction of a grand jury investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2, 371, 1001, 1343, 1512, and 26 U.S.C. 7201. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 31, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kathryn A. Connelly, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 707 (located in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.), was charged by information with one count of embezzlement and theft of union funds in the amount of $10,323, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

On August 27, 2020, in the 12th Judicial District of Jackson County, Larissa Iveson, daughter of a former Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 373 (located in Litchfield, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation. On May 29, 2020, Iveson pleaded guilty to one felony count of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent, in violation of MCL 750.157N. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On August 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dennis Williams, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Michigan, was charged by information with one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c). From at least 2010 and continuing through in or about September 2019, Williams embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $71,500 in union funds, which included accepting a villa in Palm Springs, California in December 2015, 2016, and 2018 that was paid for with UAW funds and accepting $6,000 in golf gift certificates. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On August 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Harold Bryan Weatherford, former Treasurer of National Staff Organization (NSO), Professional Staff Association (located in Tomball, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzlement of union funds totaling $82,560, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Roger Harris, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3048 (located in Lompoc, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $36,150, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Treasury’s Office of Inspector General – Tax Administration.

On August 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Janet Pilcher, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 536 (located in Rome, Ga.), was sentenced to 30 days in prison and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $45,934 in restitution and a $100 assessment. Pilcher previously paid $20,595 in restitution. On May 12, 2020, Pilcher pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On August 5, 2020, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Misty Fain, former office manager for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 120 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a three-count information for theft of union funds with a value of at least $750 and less than $50,000, in violation of I.C. 35-43-4-2(a) and I.C. 35-43-4-2(a)(1)(A). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 31, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), and Jennifer Rogers, former AFSCME Local 2254 member, were charged in a two-count indictment for embezzlement of union funds and conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2 and 371, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 31, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Linda Rogers, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2254 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), and Jennifer Rogers, former AFSCME Local 2254 member, were charged in a two-count indictment for embezzlement of union funds and conspiracy to embezzle union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2 and 371, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Rudy Ziegler, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 446 (located in Asheville, N.C.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 assessment. Ziegler previously paid $5,942 in restitution. On March 20, 2020, Ziegler pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On July 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Rudy Ziegler, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 446 (located in Asheville, N.C.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 assessment. Ziegler previously paid $5,942 in restitution. On March 20, 2020, Ziegler pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On July 30, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Matthew Cuomo, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1047 (located in Kenner, La.), was charged in a bill of information with one count of forgery in the amount of $500, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Tony Westly, former Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was sentenced to six months in prison and three years of probation, which includes six months of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay $103,698 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 19, 2019, Westly pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement union funds, in violation of 29 U. S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On July 22, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Karen Pierce, former employee of Plumbers Local 142 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 22, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Ulrich, former Vice-President and Recording Secretary of Teamsters Local 812 (located in Great Neck, N.Y.), was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $55,000 with restitution to be determined by the court. On December 12, 2019, Ulrich pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Beverly Davis, a former employee of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $85,536. On December 13, 2019, Davis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Evelyn Smith, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6222 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $50,967. On December 13, 2019, Smith pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 21, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sandra King, former President of the Federation of Police and Security (FOPS), located in Owings Mills, Md., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling from FOPS, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). As part of the guilty plea, King also admitted to embezzling from the Alliance of Independent Workers (AIW), also located in Owings Mills, Md., where King was also president. The total loss from both of these unions was $57,328. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On July 16, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), was sentenced to one year probation and ordered to pay $4,740 restitution. On February 27, 2020, Roland pleaded guilty to one count of failure to maintain records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.

On July 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Robert Kurtycz, former Comptroller of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (suspended) and three years of supervised release, which includes one year of home confinement. He was also ordered to pay $85,962 in restitution and a $200 assessment. On February 27, 2020, Kurtycz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A and thereafter, did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carry on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on, of the unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3), all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that the wire fraud charge pertained to the electronic transfer of union funds for unauthorized expense reimbursements totaling $85,962. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On July 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Douglas B. Dye, former unit chairman for United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 12 (located in Toledo, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union assets in the amount of $8,443, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Rick E. Drain, former business manager for Laborers Local 1085 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $50,281, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On July 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth Wynder Jr, President of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of wire fraud in the amount of $529,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On July 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Steven Whittick, Treasurer of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of obstruction of justice, and two counts of making false statements to federal investigators, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2) and 18 U.S.C. 1001, respectively. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On July 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Keith Ludlum, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), was sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Ludlum was ordered to pay $213,201 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. On January 28, 2020, Ludlum pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $213,201 in union funds and one count of conspiracy, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigator Office.

On July 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Amber Blake, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 124 (located in Channahon, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation. Blake was also ordered to pay $34,159 in restitution ($15,000 due by September 11, 2020) and a $5,000 fine. On December 4, 2019, Blake pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, Evelyn Romero, former President of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to eight months of home confinement, two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay a $300 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a hearing on September 8, 2020. On June 4, 2018, Romero pleaded guilty to conspiracy, embezzlement from a labor organization, and permitting persons convicted of certain crimes to hold office or employment in a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 29 U.S.C. 504(a) and (b), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On June 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, Danae Romero, former Trustee of United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to six months of electronic monitoring, two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a hearing on September 8, 2020. On March 9, 2017, Romero pleaded guilty to theft in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669 2(a). The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On June 25, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Rocky Gannon, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2302 (located in Fort Knox, Ky.), pleaded guilty to three counts of wire fraud and nine counts of forged securities involving $116,353 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 24, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Sandra King, former President of the Federation of Police and Security (located in Owings Mills, Md.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On June 23, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On June 22, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Giovinco, was sentenced to four years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $135,000 in restitution and $5,000 in forfeiture. On December 3, 2019, following a jury trial, Giovinco was found guilty of racketeering conspiracy and extortion conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d) and 18 U.S.C. 1951(a), respectively, including multiple acts impacting United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Locals 1D and 2D (both located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), in connection with the Genovese Organized Crime Family’s control of these locals. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden), Robert Peter, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 526 (located in Blackwood, N.J.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of probation. Peter was also ordered to pay $34,500 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 8, 2019, Peter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $34,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On June 16, 2020, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Cathy Byers, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers Local 6540 (located in Ronceverte, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the approximate amount of $22,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chad Michael Waldoch, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 980 (located in Fargo, N.D.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $107,706, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.

On June 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District Court of California, John J. Romero Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of the United Industrial Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was sentenced to one year of home confinement with electronic monitoring, followed by two years of supervised release. Romero was also ordered to pay restitution in an amount to be determined at a later date. On January 17, 2017, Romero pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On June 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $33,224, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On June 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tony J. Liesenfeld, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 148 (located in Lewisburg, Pa.), was sentenced to one year and one day of incarceration and two years of supervised release. Liesenfeld was also ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On October 4, 2019, Liesenfeld pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of at least $77,716, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On June 3, 2020, in United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Cathy Byers, former Treasurer of American Federation of Teachers Local 6540 (located in Ronceverte, W.Va.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the approximate amount of $22,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 3, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Gary Jones, former President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds and use a facility of interstate commerce to aid racketeering activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1952(a)(3), and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C 371. During the course of the conspiracy, from at least 2010 and continuing through in or about September 2019, Jones embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $1,000,000 in union funds by submitting fraudulent vouchers to the UAW that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses and by using unauthorized checks to divert funds from the UAW Midwest CAP. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On June 2, 2020, in the United States Court for the District of New Mexico, Jessica Pangburn, former office secretary of Operating Engineers Local 953 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was sentenced to one day of jail (time served), two years of supervised release, and 25 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $69,469. On November 26, 2019, Pangburn pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 2, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $30,611 and a $25 special assessment. On December 18, 2019, Childress pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 29, 2020, in the 12th Judicial District of Jackson County, Michigan, Larissa Iveson, daughter of a former Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 373 (located in Litchfield, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one felony count of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent, in violation of MCL 750.157N. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On May 22, 2020, in the Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Linda Woodford, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor theft, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b). She was then sentenced to five days in jail, one year of probation, and 50 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay $453 in court costs; Woodford previously paid full restitution of $4,065. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On May 14, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Indianapolis Division, Rhondalyn Cornett, former President of the Indianapolis Education Association (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $154,118 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. She was then sentenced to 16 months of incarceration and two years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution of $154,118 and a $100 special assessment. The plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.

On May 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Janet Pilcher, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 536 (located in Rome, Ga.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $65,033, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 4, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Shannon Pemberton, former Treasurer for Painters Local 238 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $958 and a $100 assessment. Pemberton previously paid $5,444 in restitution. On January 23, 2020, Pemberton pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,403, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On March 24, 2020, in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, Tammy McBride, former administrative assistant for Roofers Local 143 (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $13,868, in violation of Oklahoma Statute 21 O.S. 1451. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and Oklahoma City Police Department.

On March 20, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Rudy Ziegler, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 446 (located in Asheville, N.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $5,276, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 11, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Judith Barker, former bookkeeper of Teamsters Local 519 (located in Knoxville, Tenn.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $5,400 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On November 7, 2019, Barker pleaded guilty to failure to maintain records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 11, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, Rudy Ziegler, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 446 (located in Asheville, N.C.), was charged with one count of wire fraud, in the amount of $5,276, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 9, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Joshua Greer, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 9-212 (located in Jackson, Tenn.), was charged with and pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally making false statements and representation of material facts in a financial report filed with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b) and (d). Greer was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $116 in remaining restitution and a special assessment of $25. Greer previously paid $2,501 in restitution. The charge, guilty plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.

On March 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was charged and pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $9,317, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 2, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Edward “Nick” Robinson, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Midwest CAP Council (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds in excess of $1.5 million, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On March 2, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Rick E. Drain, former business manager for Laborers Local 1085 (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzling $50,281 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On February 28, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Janet Pilcher, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 536 (located in Rome, Ga.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $65,033, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 28, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, John Sammons, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1872 (located in Shaw AFB, S.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft, in excess of $1,000, within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Robert Kurtycz, former comptroller of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board (located in Chicago, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A, and thereafter, did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carry on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on, of the unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3), all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. Kurtycz also pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that the wire fraud charge pertained to the electronic transfer of union funds for unauthorized expense reimbursements totaling $85,962. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On February 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Gary Jones, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged by information with one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds and to use a facility of interstate commerce to aid racketeering activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C 371 and 1952(a)(3), and 29 U.S.C. 501(c). From at least 2010 and continuing through in or about September 2019, Jones embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $1,000,000 in union funds by submitting fraudulent vouchers to the UAW that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses and by using unauthorized checks to divert funds from the UAW Midwest CAP. Jones was also charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for failing to report over $1,000,000 in income on IRS Form 990 returns filed by the UAW and UAW Midwest CAP and for failing to report the income on his Form 1040 tax returns filed with the IRS. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On February 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Jeffrey Phillips, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 836 (located in Kittery, Maine), pleaded guilty to one count of stealing from within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in the amount of $57,610, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On February 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), pleaded guilty to one count of failure to maintain records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.

On February 26, 2020, in the Springfield District Court of Massachusetts, Christian Leeds, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1370 (located in Springfield, Mass.), was charged in a one-count criminal complaint for Larceny Over $1,200 by Single Scheme, in the amount of $13,444, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, §30(1). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On February 26, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Terry Slaughter, former Secretary Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), was sentenced to six months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $62,315 in restitution and a $100 fine. The court also ordered his surrender date of April 1, 2020. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigator Office.

On February 25, 2020, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, Moises Romero, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 811 (located in Houston, Texas), was charged in a one-count indictment of misapplication of fiduciary property in the approximate amount of over $20,000 and under $100,000 of union funds, in violation of Texas Statute § 32.45. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 20, 2020, in the United States Central District of California District Court, Tommy Nou, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6602 (located in San Pedro, Calif.), was sentenced to three years of probation, including one month of home detention, and was ordered to pay $1,997 in remaining restitution and a special assessment of $100. Nou previously paid $4,989 in restitution. On October 24, 2019, Nou pleaded guilty to failing to disclose material facts in a financial report filed with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On February 19, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Grimes, a former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 28 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release. Grimes was also ordered to forfeit $1,509,500 in proceeds from his crimes and pay a $200 special assessment. On September 4, 2019, Grimes pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 1956(h), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

On February 18, 2020, in Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Sophia Love, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to five years in prison with credit for time served. On June 5, 2018, Love pleaded guilty to one count of theft for stealing $15,548 from the union, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On February 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Wanda Coleman-Gordon, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1477 and the Texas Postal Workers Union (both located in Tyler, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of supervised probation, and she was ordered to pay $30,599 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. She previously paid $42,967 in restitution. On November 12, 2019, Coleman-Gordon pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $71,064, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 12, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, after a six-day trial, a jury found John S. Romero, former President of United Industrial Services Worker of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 371), 12 counts of theft or embezzlement of approximately $800,000 in connection with health care (18 U.S.C. 669), and one count of filing a false financial report with the Department of Labor, in which he failed to properly report the existence of more than $100,000 in receipts and disbursements (18 U.S.C. 1001). Romero’s family members, who were co-defendants (son John J. Romero, former UISWA Secretary-Treasurer; daughter Danae Romero, former UISWA Trustee; and ex-wife Evelyn Romero, former UISWA President), each previously pleaded guilty to counts under the indictment and testified at trial on behalf of the government. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On February 11, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Young, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $5,450 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. As a condition of his probation, Young cannot visit a casino establishment during his two year probationary period. On October 23, 2019, Young pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $7,050, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On February 10, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Gregg Pedersen, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local 75 (located in Sioux City, Iowa), was sentenced to probation for two years and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,638 and a $100 fine. On September 27, 2019, Pedersen pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $6,320, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On February 7, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Vance Pearson, former Regional Director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 5 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds and to use a facility of interstate commerce to aid a racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 1952(a)(3), and 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS – Criminal Investigations.

On February 5, 2020, in the Lucas County (Ohio) Common Pleas Court, Aphrodite L. Ueberroth, former office manager for Ironworkers Local 55 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was indicted for aggravated theft of more than $150,000 and less than $750,000, tampering with records (two counts), forgery (six counts), and receiving stolen property of more than $1,000 and less than $7,500, in violation of in violation of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2913.02(A)(3) and (B)(2); 2913.42(A)(1), (B)(1) and (B)(4); 2913.31(A)(2) and (C)(1)(a) and (b); and 2913.51(A) and (C), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland Office.

On February 3, 2020, the New Orleans Police Department issued a warrant for Chandra Miller, former Secretary Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 478 (located in New Orleans, La.). Miller was charged with one count of theft over $5,000. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 29, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment and was ordered to pay $314,178 in restitution and a $125 special assessment.  On March 28, 2019, Lum pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated identity theft and failure to file income tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1) and 26 U.S.C. 7203, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI.

On January 28, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Keith Ludlum, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $250,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c), and conspiracy to defraud UFCW Local 1208 by unauthorized payments to friends and families, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigators Office.

On January 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and ordered to serve two years of probation upon his release.  Moylan was also ordered to pay $130,783 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment fee.  On October 16, 2019, Moylan pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 23, 2020, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Shannon Pemberton, former Treasurer of Painters Local 238 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Chad Michael Waldoch, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 980 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was indicted for embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $107,706, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment includes a forfeiture allegation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 981(a)(1)(C) and 28 U.S.C. 2461(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.

On January 15, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Trenton), Lawrence Ackerman, former health insurance broker for the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 Health and Welfare Fund (located in South River, N.J.), was sentenced to six months incarceration, six months home confinement, and two and half years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $100 in special assessment fee.  On March 13, 2020, a hearing is scheduled to determine Ackerman’s restitution amount to the UAW Local 2326 Health and Welfare Fund (Trust Fund).  On March 20, 2020, Ackerman is scheduled to surrender to the Bureau of Prisons to begin his sentence.  On November 12, 2018, Ackerman pleaded guilty to a superseding information of one count of theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 1347 and 2.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On January 14, 2020, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Eleanor Harvey, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  She was sentenced to 365 days confinement (suspended) and 365 days of probation, and she was ordered to pay restitution of $18,800.  She was also ordered to attend an anti-conversion class.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

On January 8, 2019, a subject entered into an agreement for deferred prosecution with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan for embezzling union funds and filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501 (c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively.  Under the terms of this agreement, the subject must make restitution in the amount of $1,802 and not hold union office or work for a labor organization for a period of 10 years.  The subject previously made restitution of $2,885.  Due to the confidential nature of the agreement for deferred prosecution, details that could identify the subject are not public information.  The agreement follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On January 8, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Douglas B. Dye, former unit chairman of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 12 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was indicted with one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 6, 2020, in the 12th Judicial District of Jackson County, Larissa Iveson, daughter of a former Treasurer of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 373 (located in Litchfield, Mich.), was charged with one felony count of possession of a financial device, in violation of Michigan Compiled Law (MCL) 750.157P, and one felony count of stealing/retaining a financial transaction device without consent, in violation of MCL 750.157N.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On January 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Vance Pearson, former Regional Director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 5 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was charged by information with one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and using a facility of interstate commerce to aid a racketeering enterprise (18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3)).  In June and November 2016, Pearson submitted fraudulent vouchers to the UAW totaling over $32,000 that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On December 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Ulrich, former Vice-President and Recording Secretary of Teamsters Local 812 (located in Great Neck, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On December 11, 2019, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, John Scarcella, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local 125 (located in Middle River, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of more than $10,000 and less than $100,000 for stealing $28,010 from the union, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  Scarcella was then sentenced to 18 months in jail (all suspended) and 36 months of unsupervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $22,760.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 5, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On December 5, 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.), was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised probation and 300 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay $87,020 in restitution.  On September 12, 2019, Duplessis pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Automobile Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors (GM) Department and director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources from 2010 through 2014 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, after a six day trial, a jury found Frank Giovinco guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and others were also charged in the same indictment as Giovinco, previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.  The verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 3, 2019, in the Fulton Superior Court for the State of Georgia, Andretta Davis, former office secretary of Operatives Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA) Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was charged in an indictment with one count of theft by taking and three counts of forgery, in violation of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) 16-8-2 and 16-9-1, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 26, 2019, in United States District Court for the District Of New Mexico, Jessica Pangburn, former office manager for Operating Engineers Local 953 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), waived an indictment and pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 USC 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Rocky Gannon, the former President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2302 (located in Fort Knox, Ky.), was charged in a twelve count indictment including three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and nine counts of forged securities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.  Carter previously made restitution totaling $9,031.  On August 20, 2019, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,031, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Amber Blake, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 124, (located in Channahon, Ill.) was charged by information with one count of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Tony Westly, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer of Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCMIA) Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), was sentenced to time served and one year of supervised release. Sherwood previously paid restitution of $13,002.  On June 10, 2019, Sherwood pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $10,813. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati- Cleveland District Office.

On November 15, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Steven Arena was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $276,500 in forfeiture.On May 31, 2019, Arena pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), who were also charged in the same indictment as Arena, have previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation.  He was also fined $25,000.  Restitution of $23,367 was previously satisfied by another individual.  On May 16, 2019, Carney pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds by conspiring with, among others, the owner of an HVAC and plumbing contracting company, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was sentenced to three years of probation to include six months of home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,568 and a $100 special assessment.  On August 7, 2019, Popillo pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On November 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors Department and director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources (CHR) from 2010 through 2014 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  Ashton knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby he and others used their positions with the UAW and CHR to personally enrich themselves by obtaining a $250,000 loan from a vendor.  They then assisted the same vendor in obtaining a contract from CHR valued at over $3,900,000 and suggesting that the profits would repay the vendor what was owed on the loan.  After the vendor was awarded the contract from the CHR, Ashton demanded at least $250,000 in kickbacks.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

 

On October 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Edward “Nick” Robinson, President of Auto Workers (UAW) Midwest CAP Council, located in Hazelwood, Mo., was charged by information with one count of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and conspiracy to embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371).  From at least 2010 and continuing through or about September 2019, Robinson embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $1,500,000 in union funds by submitting fraudulent vouchers to the UAW that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses and by using unauthorized checks to divert funds from the UAW Midwest CAP Council.  Robinson was also charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371) for failing to report over $1,500,000 in income on the IRS Form 990 returns filed by the UAW and UAW Midwest CAP Council and for failing to report the income on his Form 1040 tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On October 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $33,224 and one count of false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 25, 2019, in the 78th District Court of Wichita County, Texas, Terri Rae Coan (Merritt), former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), pleaded guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  Coan was then sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,636.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 24, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Deloistine Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 929 (located in West Helena, Ark.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,205.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Young, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $7,050, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jeffery Pietrzyk, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On October 18, 2019, in the 30th District Court of Wichita County, Texas, Orville Lynn Merritt, former business manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), pled guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45. Merritt was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $279 in court costs.  The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Rebecca Hedman, an officer and agent of three medical service providers (located in Chicago, Ill.) was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A.  The conspiracy involved a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3) (Use of a Facility in Interstate Commerce in Aid of a Racketeering Enterprise) when cellphones were used by Hedman and Robert Kurtycz, former comptroller of Workers United, SEIU, Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board, to promote, manage, and carry on, and to facilitate the promotion, management, and carrying on of the unlawful activity, namely commercial bribery, and thereafter did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carrying on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on of the same unlawful activity, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On October 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On October 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Jeffrey Phillips, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Local 836 (located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine), was indicted on one count of theft from a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction in excess of $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Dennis Robertson, former business manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 668 (located in Hooksett, N.H.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $37,897 in restitution.  On June 25, 2019, Robertson pleaded guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Shannon Pemberton, former Treasurer of Painters Local 238 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was charged in a two-count indictment for embezzling $6,403 in union funds and filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(b), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 4, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tony J. Liesenfeld, former Secretary-Treasurer and President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 148 (located in Lewisburg, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of at least $77,716, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 2, 2019, in the 78th District Court of Wichita County, Terri Rae Coan (Merritt), former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), was indicted for misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 1, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Young, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $7,050, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia- Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 27, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Gregg Pedersen, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians(ACT) Local 75 (located in Sioux City, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $6,320, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jeffery Pietrzyk, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)), totaling approximately $123,000.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $6,280, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Travis Cofer, former Secretary Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 990 (located in Maryville, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement totaling $12,432, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation.  Watson was also ordered to pay restitution of $125,443.  On April 15, 2019, Watson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tony J. Liesenfeld, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 148 (located in Lewisburg, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the amount of at least $77,716, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 12, 2019, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County Superior Court, Juan Evereteze, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3258 (located in Boston, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced on three counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. 266 § 30.  Evereteze was then sentenced to four years of probation under a continuance without a finding, with the first year of probation being supervised.  He was ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution.  The plea and agreement follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On 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.

On September 10, 2019, in the Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Jennifer Conway, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 947.01(01).  She was then ordered to pay court costs of $458.  Conway previously paid full restitution of $250.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On September 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Annette Jones, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 331 (located in Perry Point, Md.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised probation.  Jones was also ordered to pay restitution of $82,180.  On May 7, 2019, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On September 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1-D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  On March 11, 2019, Cognetta pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Grimes, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $2,619, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $14,408 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of Stage and Picture Operators Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,786.  The Court further ordered forfeiture in the amount of $16,151.  Carlson previously paid $6,775 in restitution.  On March 26, 2019, Carlson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $37,014 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers – Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was sentenced to 46 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by three years supervised release.  Woodcock was also ordered to pay $519,963 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  He was taken into the immediate custody of the United States Marshals Service.  On August 17, 2018, Woodcock pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 28, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Eleanor Harvey, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a two-count indictment for theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Grand Jury Investigations Division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Gregg Pedersen, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local 75 (located in Sioux City, Iowa), was charged in an information with defrauding the union through wire fraud in the amount of $6,320, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Mitchell Sharp, former organizer for Laborers DC Southwest Indian Health Services (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged and pleaded guilty to a one-count information with theft within Indian country, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 & 1153.  Sharp used the union’s credit card to charge personal expenses in excess of $1,000.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, current business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lee Ann Miyamura, former executive secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Russell Yamanoha, former communications director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the 36th District Court for the State of Michigan, Esper Alexander, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 1111 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to six months of probation and three days of community service.  Alexander was also ordered to pay restitution of $500 and to have no contact with SPFPA 1111.  On July 19, 2019, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of larceny by conversion of $200 or more, but less than $1,000.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 20, 2019, in Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Betty Robinson, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to five years in prison (all suspended) and five years of probation.  She was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $26,400.  Robinson previously paid $3,700 in restitution.  On December 14, 2016, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of theft between $10,000 and $100,000, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Law Code.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On August 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,031, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Deloistine Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 929 (located in West Helena, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information for making a false entry in a record required to be kept, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent D’Acunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  On March 18, 2019, D’Acunto pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Grimes, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)), totaling over $1.5 million.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On August 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden), Robert Peter, former Secretary/Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 526 (located in Blackwood, N.J.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $34,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On the same date, Peter pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On August 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was charged with a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,568, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 7, 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 sentenced to five years of probation.  She was also ordered to pay $52,738 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On February 14, 2019, Coppin pleaded guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 5, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President of the UAW Chrysler Department and former director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) from 2014 through 2016 (both located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison, 12 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  On April 2, 2019, Jewell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for receiving money and things of value from persons acting in the interest of FCA and/or approved UAW officials to use their NTC credit cards to make over $40,000 in purchases for himself, senior UAW officials, and other UAW members that were delivered through and concealed by the NTC.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 2, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years supervised release to include 180 days of home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay $26,185 in restitution and a special assessment of $100.  On January 3, 2019, Perry pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $4,740, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.

On July 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, John T. Coli Sr., former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727 (located in Park Ridge, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a prohibited payment as a union officer, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b)(1) and 186(d)(2), and one count of making a false income tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS.

On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), was sentenced to six months in prison and 12 months of supervised release, of which six months will be home confinement.  Matassa was also ordered to pay $33,513 in restitution to Local 711, $22,948 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and a $100 assessment.  He previously paid $52,160 in restitution to the SSA.  On February 26, 2019, Matassa pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the SSA’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Rhondalyn Cornett, former President of the Indianapolis Education Association (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information of wire fraud in a scheme to embezzle more than $100,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  She then pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the USDOL OIG, the FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.

On July 19, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and $3,816,865 in forfeiture.On April 10, 2019, Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito, previously pleaded guilty, and are awaiting sentencing.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 19, 2019, in the Wayne County, 36th District Court for the State of Michigan, Esper Alexander, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 1111 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of larceny by conversion of $200 or more, but less than $1,000.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 15, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Rodney Capello, former business manager of Laborers Local 722 – Hawaii Electrical Workers (located in Honolulu, HI), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $184,771, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office.

On July 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Howard Janoske, the co-owner of a HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution of $23,367 and a fine of $25,000.  An asset forfeiture order for $92,432 was also issued.  On March 1, 2019, Janoske pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international union located in Herndon, Virginia, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 25, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Tagliaferro, President of Carpenters Local 926 (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a New York City District Council of Carpenters Representative, and John DeFalco, Vice-President of Carpenters Local 157 (located in New York, N.Y.), were indicted on multiple charges for an alleged scheme to sell union “books” or membership cards (union property) for cash bribes.  Both were charged with embezzlement of union assets and aiding and abetting an embezzlement (29 U.S.C. 501c and 18 U.S.C. 2), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), as well as honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1346 and 1343).  DeFalco was also charged with obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. (b)(1)) and witness tampering (18 U.S.C. 1512 (b)(2)(A)).  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

On June 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $7,130 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 12, 2019, in Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Jennifer Conway, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft of $250, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 943.20(1)(b) and (3)(a), 939.51(3)(a), and 939.05.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 12, 2019, in Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Linda Woodford (Harshman), former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), was charged with one count of felony theft of approximately $4,065, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 943.20(1)(b) and (3)(bf), 939.50(3)(i), and 939.05.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Tatia Clark, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2801 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of withholding and destruction of labor records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Clark was then sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communication Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one-count of theft of union funds of approximately $10,813, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 5, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Charlotte F. McDaniel, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  She was then sentenced to 365 days of confinement (363 days suspended with one day of credit) and 363 days of probation.  She was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,082.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathan Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Francisco, Calif.), was charged in a six-count superseding indictment.  The superseding indictment added three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  Each of the three counts pertain to Ortino making an unauthorized electronic fund transfer from the union’s account to his personal account, totaling $4,500.  On March 26, 2019, Ortino was initially charged in a three-count indictment with making false entries with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-3 Report for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) & 2 (False Statements to a Government Agency).  The superseding indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On May 31, 2019, in Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, John Scarcella, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians Local 125 (located in Middle River, Md.), was charged with one count of theft of more than $10,000, but less than $100,000, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Baltimore County Police Department.

On May 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and two years of probation.  Peltz previously made restitution of $958,000 and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.  On January 28, 2019, Peltz pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On May 17, 2019, in Kaufman County, Texas, Claudia E. Beltran, former office assistant for United Association of Plumbers Local 100 (located in Garland, Tex.), was indicted for misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $2,500 and $30,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Caroline Kelly Phelps, former office secretary of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 369 (located in Cordova, Tenn.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution totaling $36,823 and a $100 special assessment.  On February 7, 2019, Phelps pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.  On May 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of

On May 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371) for conspiring with, among others, the owner of a contracting company.  The information charges that the contracting company provided the subject with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for Carney and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union’s service agreements and maintenance contracts.  With Carney’s knowledge, the contracting company submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits.  Carney also pleaded guilty to the charge on this date.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On 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 355 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 Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On May 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Amy Barber (Rodman), former Treasurer for the National Staff Organization Ind, Florida Staff Organization (FSO), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds and one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(b), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Robert Kurtycz, former Comptroller of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board (located in Chicago, Ill.), was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A, and thereafter, did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carry on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on, of the unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3), all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy).  Kurtycz was also indicted on six counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  One count pertains to the electronic transfer of union funds for unauthorized expense reimbursements totaling $85,962.  The remaining five counts of wire fraud pertain to electronic funds transfers for the purpose of executing the above conspiracy and wire fraud schemes.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On May 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communication Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU-IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $10,813, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office

On April 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was charged with one count of embezzling approximately $14,408 in union funds, one count of filing a false LM report, and one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 439(b), and 439(c), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 15, 2019, in United States District Court for Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 TD (located in Beecher, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation.  Cranston was also ordered to pay the remaining $9,999 of $28,084 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On January 17, 2019, Cranston pleaded guilty to one-count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On April 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted on two counts of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of the Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association (located in St. Helens, Ore.), was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $10,621 and a $25 assessment.  On December 20, 2018, Burgess pleaded guilty to one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Esposito admitted to participating in an illegal enterprise from 2001 through 2017.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito and have previously pleaded guilty.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $7,078, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 9, 2019, in the Marlborough Division of the Middlesex District Court of Massachusetts, Edgar Barajas, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 4-1702 (located in Marlborough, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts to sustain a charge of Larceny over $250, in violation of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 266, section 30.  Barajas admitted to making unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s checking account and making unauthorized debit-card purchases totaling $10,279.  Under an agreement between the prosecutor, defense counsel, and the union, the court continued the case without a finding for one year and will dismiss the charges if Barajas makes full restitution to the union and pays all associated court fees within that time.  The plea and agreement follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On April 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home confinement, and two years of probation.  Wisecarver was also ordered to pay $53,704 in restitution.  On December 19, 2018, Wisecarver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 2, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the UAW Chrysler Department (located in Detroit, Mich.) and Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center from 2014 through 2016, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1)) and one count of failure to file income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7203).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathon Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Francisco, Calif.), was charged in a three-count indictment with making false entries with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-3 Report for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) & 2 (False Statements to a Government Agency).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $37,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On March 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent D’Acunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the UAW Chrysler Department and Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) from 2014 through 2016, was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  Jewell knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby he received money and things of value from persons acting in the interest of FCA and/or approved UAW officials to use their NTC credit cards to make over $40,000 in purchases for himself, senior UAW officials, and other UAW members, which were delivered through and concealed by the NTC, from 2014 through 2016.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On March 15, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Charlotte F. McDaniel, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was indicted for three counts theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On March 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Karen Auer, a former principal of an accounting firm, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,194 in restitution.  On August 3, 2018 Auer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor information for filing fraudulent returns, statements or other documents, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7207.  On May 31, 2018, Auer was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), and making a false statement (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On March 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  Hawk was also ordered to pay $362,623 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On November 28, 2018, Hawk pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $300,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 1, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Howard Janoske, the co-owner of an HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international labor organization located in Herndon, VA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The information charges that Janoske’s company provided the union’s facilities and real estate manager with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for the union manager and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union’s service agreements and maintenance contracts.  With the union manager’s knowledge, Janoske and his subordinates submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits.  Janoske then pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 27, 2019, in the Vermilion County, Indiana Circuit Court, Darin Kingrey, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 706 (located in Cayuga, Ind.), pleaded guilty to two counts of theft (Level 6 Felony) in the amount of $7,464, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao, the managing partner of an accounting firm, was sentenced to two years supervised release to include six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay $9,592 in restitution, $18,700 in forfeiture, and a $3,000 fine.  On August 2, 2018, Armao pleaded guilty to an information for false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027.  On May 31, 2018, Armao was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).  Armao’s clients included the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122, a small independent union located in Long Island, NY, and the affiliated United Health and Welfare Fund.  Rocco Fazzolari, the former President and Fund Administrator of Local 122, previously pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced for, embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.  Armao’s false filings concealed Fazzolari’s embezzlement.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $738, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Matassa received $33,513 by issuing unauthorized union checks to his wife, and as a result, received approximately $75,108 in Old-Age Insurance Benefits to which he was not entitled.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 25, 2019, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, Terry Slaughter, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $62,315, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 25, 2019, in United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Anthony Edmunds, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation, 12 months of home confinement, and he was ordered to pay restitution of $19,482 and a $100 assessment.  On October 25, 2018, Edmunds pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On February 21, 2019, in the United States District Court for the SouthernDistrict of New York, John Ulrich, former Vice President and Recording Secretary of Teamsters Local 812 (a union representing beverage industry workers located in Great Neck, N.Y.), was charged with offenses related to alleged bribes from a third party administrator (TPA) given in exchange for Ulrich’s use of his influence with the union and its health fund.  The indictment charged Ulrich with soliciting and receiving bribe payments to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 1954 and 2), conspiracy to solicit and receive bribe payments to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 371), honest services health care fraud (18 U.S.C. 1347, 1346 and 2), and conspiracy to commit honest services health care fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On February 20, 2019, in Adams County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, David Dauman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3495 (located in Oxford, Wis.), was charged with one count of felony theft of approximately $3,597, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b)&(3)(bf).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 14, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Christy Little Coppin, former office secretary of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2250 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 11, 2019, in the Worcester District Court, Darius Pourfarzaneh, former Trustee of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 935B (located in Worcester, Mass.), was charged in a one-count complaint for Larceny Over $250, in the amount of $6,870, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, §30(1).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On February 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months of home detention and 36 months of probation.  Restitution was not ordered as another defendant previously paid the entire $57,000 in restitution.  On May 29, 2018, Mulhall pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Caroline Kelly Phelps, former office secretary of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 369 (located in Cordova, Tenn.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $40,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 6, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Karen Pierce, former employee of Plumbers Local 142 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was charged in an eight-count indictment for theft of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas New Orleans Office.

On January 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Kevin Crownover, former Treasurer of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 2947 (located in Lemoore, Calif.), was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1), respectively, for an embezzlement in the amount of $50,879.  The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 34 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), 23 counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful payments from an employer (18 U.S.C. 371), eight counts of accepting unlawful payments from an employer (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(2),(b)(1) & (d)(2)), one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 11 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), and one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), and five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), three counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), one count of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), and one count of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and six counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), five counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and five counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Anthony Massa, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from employee pension fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346), three counts of accepting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)), and one count of soliciting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 28, 2019, in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Fazzolari, former President of the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122 (an independent union located in Long Island, N.Y.), was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $1,288,810 in restitution.  On September 26, 2018, Fazzolari pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the SDNY, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On January 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an information with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On 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.

On January 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 (located in Beecher, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Cranston paid himself approximately $28,220 in union funds to which he was not entitled and improperly reported some of these disbursements as an authorized salary on multiple LM-3 reports.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On January 15, 2019, in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey (Trenton), Sergio Acosta, former President and Trustee of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 and the Local 2326 Health and Welfare Fund (located in Edison, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $32,000 in restitution for failure to remit contributions regarding union employees’ health premiums and a $100 special assessment.  On April 6, 2018, Acosta pleaded guilty to a superseding information of one count of theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 664 and 2.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and Office of Inspector General.

On 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.

On January 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $20,458, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

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Quick Glossary Of Terms

An indictment is a formal accusation or charge based on a finding by a Grand Jury that it is likely that the person charged committed the criminal offense described in the indictment and is the means by which an accused person (defendant) is brought to trial. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury.  An information raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

A charge is an accusation of criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information.

A guilty plea is a defendant’s admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial.

A conviction is a judgment based on a jury’s verdict, judge’s finding, or the defendant’s admission that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.

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.

SOURCE:  U.S. Department Of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)

On December 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Ulrich, former Vice-President and Recording Secretary of Teamsters Local 812 (located in Great Neck, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On December 11, 2019, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, John Scarcella, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local 125 (located in Middle River, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of more than $10,000 and less than $100,000 for stealing $28,010 from the union, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  Scarcella was then sentenced to 18 months in jail (all suspended) and 36 months of unsupervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $22,760.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 5, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On December 5, 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.), was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by three years of supervised probation and 300 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay $87,020 in restitution.  On September 12, 2019, Duplessis pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Automobile Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors (GM) Department and director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources from 2010 through 2014 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On December 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, after a six day trial, a jury found Frank Giovinco guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and others were also charged in the same indictment as Giovinco, previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.  The verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 3, 2019, in the Fulton Superior Court for the State of Georgia, Andretta Davis, former office secretary of Operatives Plasterers’ and Cement Masons’ International Association (OPCMIA) Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), was charged in an indictment with one count of theft by taking and three counts of forgery, in violation of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) 16-8-2 and 16-9-1, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 26, 2019, in United States District Court for the District Of New Mexico, Jessica Pangburn, former office manager for Operating Engineers Local 953 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), waived an indictment and pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 USC 1343. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Rocky Gannon, the former President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2302 (located in Fort Knox, Ky.), was charged in a twelve count indictment including three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and nine counts of forged securities, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, two years of probation, and 200 hours of community service.  Carter previously made restitution totaling $9,031.  On August 20, 2019, Carter pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,031, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Amber Blake, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 124, (located in Channahon, Ill.) was charged by information with one count of making a false entry, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, Tony Westly, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer of Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCMIA) Local 148 (located in Atlanta, Ga.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), was sentenced to time served and one year of supervised release. Sherwood previously paid restitution of $13,002.  On June 10, 2019, Sherwood pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $10,813. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati- Cleveland District Office.

On November 15, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Steven Arena was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $276,500 in forfeiture.On May 31, 2019, Arena pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), who were also charged in the same indictment as Arena, have previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation.  He was also fined $25,000.  Restitution of $23,367 was previously satisfied by another individual.  On May 16, 2019, Carney pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds by conspiring with, among others, the owner of an HVAC and plumbing contracting company, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was sentenced to three years of probation to include six months of home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,568 and a $100 special assessment.  On August 7, 2019, Popillo pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On November 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joseph Ashton, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the General Motors Department and director of the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources (CHR) from 2010 through 2014 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  Ashton knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby he and others used their positions with the UAW and CHR to personally enrich themselves by obtaining a $250,000 loan from a vendor.  They then assisted the same vendor in obtaining a contract from CHR valued at over $3,900,000 and suggesting that the profits would repay the vendor what was owed on the loan.  After the vendor was awarded the contract from the CHR, Ashton demanded at least $250,000 in kickbacks.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

 

On October 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Edward “Nick” Robinson, President of Auto Workers (UAW) Midwest CAP Council, located in Hazelwood, Mo., was charged by information with one count of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and conspiracy to embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371).  From at least 2010 and continuing through or about September 2019, Robinson embezzled and conspired to embezzle approximately $1,500,000 in union funds by submitting fraudulent vouchers to the UAW that misrepresented the destination and purpose of the expenses and by using unauthorized checks to divert funds from the UAW Midwest CAP Council.  Robinson was also charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States (18 U.S.C. 371) for failing to report over $1,500,000 in income on the IRS Form 990 returns filed by the UAW and UAW Midwest CAP Council and for failing to report the income on his Form 1040 tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On October 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Brian Arnold, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 104M (located in Elmira, N.Y.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $33,224 and one count of false entries in union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(c), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 25, 2019, in the 78th District Court of Wichita County, Texas, Terri Rae Coan (Merritt), former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), pleaded guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  Coan was then sentenced to 10 years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,636.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 24, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Deloistine Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 929 (located in West Helena, Ark.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,205.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Young, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $7,050, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jeffery Pietrzyk, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On October 18, 2019, in the 30th District Court of Wichita County, Texas, Orville Lynn Merritt, former business manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), pled guilty to misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45. Merritt was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $279 in court costs.  The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Rebecca Hedman, an officer and agent of three medical service providers (located in Chicago, Ill.) was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A.  The conspiracy involved a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3) (Use of a Facility in Interstate Commerce in Aid of a Racketeering Enterprise) when cellphones were used by Hedman and Robert Kurtycz, former comptroller of Workers United, SEIU, Chicago and Midwest Regional Joint Board, to promote, manage, and carry on, and to facilitate the promotion, management, and carrying on of the unlawful activity, namely commercial bribery, and thereafter did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carrying on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on of the same unlawful activity, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On October 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On October 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Jeffrey Phillips, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Local 836 (located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine), was indicted on one count of theft from a special maritime or territorial jurisdiction in excess of $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Dennis Robertson, former business manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 668 (located in Hooksett, N.H.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $37,897 in restitution.  On June 25, 2019, Robertson pleaded guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On October 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Shannon Pemberton, former Treasurer of Painters Local 238 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was charged in a two-count indictment for embezzling $6,403 in union funds and filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(b), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 4, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tony J. Liesenfeld, former Secretary-Treasurer and President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 148 (located in Lewisburg, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of at least $77,716, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 2, 2019, in the 78th District Court of Wichita County, Terri Rae Coan (Merritt), former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1168 (located in Wichita Falls, Tex.), was indicted for misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $30,000 or more but less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 1, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Young, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4973 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $7,050, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia- Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 27, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Gregg Pedersen, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians(ACT) Local 75 (located in Sioux City, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in the amount of $6,320, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jeffery Pietrzyk, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)), totaling approximately $123,000.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $6,280, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Travis Cofer, former Secretary Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 990 (located in Maryville, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement totaling $12,432, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation.  Watson was also ordered to pay restitution of $125,443.  On April 15, 2019, Watson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 13, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tony J. Liesenfeld, former President and Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 148 (located in Lewisburg, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the amount of at least $77,716, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 12, 2019, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County Superior Court, Juan Evereteze, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3258 (located in Boston, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced on three counts of larceny over $250 by single scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. 266 § 30.  Evereteze was then sentenced to four years of probation under a continuance without a finding, with the first year of probation being supervised.  He was ordered to pay $38,000 in restitution.  The plea and agreement follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On 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.

On September 10, 2019, in the Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Jennifer Conway, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 947.01(01).  She was then ordered to pay court costs of $458.  Conway previously paid full restitution of $250.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On September 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Annette Jones, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 331 (located in Perry Point, Md.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised probation.  Jones was also ordered to pay restitution of $82,180.  On May 7, 2019, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On September 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1-D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  On March 11, 2019, Cognetta pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Grimes, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Eric Childress, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2276 (located in Bluefield, W.Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $2,619, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $14,408 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of Stage and Picture Operators Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,786.  The Court further ordered forfeiture in the amount of $16,151.  Carlson previously paid $6,775 in restitution.  On March 26, 2019, Carlson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $37,014 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers – Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was sentenced to 46 months in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, to be followed by three years supervised release.  Woodcock was also ordered to pay $519,963 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  He was taken into the immediate custody of the United States Marshals Service.  On August 17, 2018, Woodcock pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 28, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Eleanor Harvey, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a two-count indictment for theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Grand Jury Investigations Division of the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Gregg Pedersen, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local 75 (located in Sioux City, Iowa), was charged in an information with defrauding the union through wire fraud in the amount of $6,320, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Mitchell Sharp, former organizer for Laborers DC Southwest Indian Health Services (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged and pleaded guilty to a one-count information with theft within Indian country, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 & 1153.  Sharp used the union’s credit card to charge personal expenses in excess of $1,000.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, current business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lee Ann Miyamura, former executive secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Russell Yamanoha, former communications director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.

On August 23, 2019, in the 36th District Court for the State of Michigan, Esper Alexander, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 1111 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to six months of probation and three days of community service.  Alexander was also ordered to pay restitution of $500 and to have no contact with SPFPA 1111.  On July 19, 2019, Alexander pleaded guilty to one count of larceny by conversion of $200 or more, but less than $1,000.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 20, 2019, in Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Betty Robinson, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to five years in prison (all suspended) and five years of probation.  She was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $26,400.  Robinson previously paid $3,700 in restitution.  On December 14, 2016, Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of theft between $10,000 and $100,000, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Law Code.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On August 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,031, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Deloistine Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 929 (located in West Helena, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information for making a false entry in a record required to be kept, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent D’Acunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  On March 18, 2019, D’Acunto pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Grimes, former senior official in the General Motors Department of the United Auto Workers International Union (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349) and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering (18 U.S.C. 1956(h)), totaling over $1.5 million.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On August 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (Camden), Robert Peter, former Secretary/Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 526 (located in Blackwood, N.J.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $34,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On the same date, Peter pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On August 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Thomas Popillo, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266 (located in Newington, Conn.), was charged with a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,568, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 7, 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 sentenced to five years of probation.  She was also ordered to pay $52,738 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On February 14, 2019, Coppin pleaded guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 5, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President of the UAW Chrysler Department and former director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) from 2014 through 2016 (both located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison, 12 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  On April 2, 2019, Jewell pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for receiving money and things of value from persons acting in the interest of FCA and/or approved UAW officials to use their NTC credit cards to make over $40,000 in purchases for himself, senior UAW officials, and other UAW members that were delivered through and concealed by the NTC.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 2, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years supervised release to include 180 days of home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay $26,185 in restitution and a special assessment of $100.  On January 3, 2019, Perry pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Asenath Roland, former President of the Kansas Postal Workers Union (located in Wichita, Kans.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $4,740, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.

On July 30, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, John T. Coli Sr., former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727 (located in Park Ridge, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of receiving a prohibited payment as a union officer, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b)(1) and 186(d)(2), and one count of making a false income tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the FBI, and the IRS.

On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), was sentenced to six months in prison and 12 months of supervised release, of which six months will be home confinement.  Matassa was also ordered to pay $33,513 in restitution to Local 711, $22,948 in restitution to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and a $100 assessment.  He previously paid $52,160 in restitution to the SSA.  On February 26, 2019, Matassa pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the SSA’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Rhondalyn Cornett, former President of the Indianapolis Education Association (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information of wire fraud in a scheme to embezzle more than $100,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  She then pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the USDOL OIG, the FBI and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police.

On July 19, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and $3,816,865 in forfeiture.On April 10, 2019, Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito, previously pleaded guilty, and are awaiting sentencing.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 19, 2019, in the Wayne County, 36th District Court for the State of Michigan, Esper Alexander, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 1111 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of larceny by conversion of $200 or more, but less than $1,000.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 15, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Rodney Capello, former business manager of Laborers Local 722 – Hawaii Electrical Workers (located in Honolulu, HI), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $184,771, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office.

On July 12, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, Howard Janoske, the co-owner of a HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, was sentenced to six months of home confinement and two years of supervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution of $23,367 and a fine of $25,000.  An asset forfeiture order for $92,432 was also issued.  On March 1, 2019, Janoske pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international union located in Herndon, Virginia, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 25, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Tagliaferro, President of Carpenters Local 926 (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and a New York City District Council of Carpenters Representative, and John DeFalco, Vice-President of Carpenters Local 157 (located in New York, N.Y.), were indicted on multiple charges for an alleged scheme to sell union “books” or membership cards (union property) for cash bribes.  Both were charged with embezzlement of union assets and aiding and abetting an embezzlement (29 U.S.C. 501c and 18 U.S.C. 2), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), as well as honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1346 and 1343).  DeFalco was also charged with obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. (b)(1)) and witness tampering (18 U.S.C. 1512 (b)(2)(A)).  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation.

On June 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kelly Carter, former President of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 560 (located in Benton Harbor, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $7,130 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 12, 2019, in Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Jennifer Conway, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), was charged with one count of misdemeanor theft of $250, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 943.20(1)(b) and (3)(a), 939.51(3)(a), and 939.05.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 12, 2019, in Dunn County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Linda Woodford (Harshman), former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 727D (located in Menomonie, Wisc.), was charged with one count of felony theft of approximately $4,065, in violation of Wisconsin State Statutes 943.20(1)(b) and (3)(bf), 939.50(3)(i), and 939.05.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Tatia Clark, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 2801 (located in Long Beach, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of withholding and destruction of labor records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Clark was then sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $25 special assessment.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communication Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one-count of theft of union funds of approximately $10,813, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 5, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Charlotte F. McDaniel, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  She was then sentenced to 365 days of confinement (363 days suspended with one day of credit) and 363 days of probation.  She was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,082.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathan Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Francisco, Calif.), was charged in a six-count superseding indictment.  The superseding indictment added three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  Each of the three counts pertain to Ortino making an unauthorized electronic fund transfer from the union’s account to his personal account, totaling $4,500.  On March 26, 2019, Ortino was initially charged in a three-count indictment with making false entries with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-3 Report for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) & 2 (False Statements to a Government Agency).  The superseding indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On May 31, 2019, in Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland, John Scarcella, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians Local 125 (located in Middle River, Md.), was charged with one count of theft of more than $10,000, but less than $100,000, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Baltimore County Police Department.

On May 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and two years of probation.  Peltz previously made restitution of $958,000 and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.  On January 28, 2019, Peltz pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On May 17, 2019, in Kaufman County, Texas, Claudia E. Beltran, former office assistant for United Association of Plumbers Local 100 (located in Garland, Tex.), was indicted for misapplication of fiduciary property with a value between $2,500 and $30,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.45.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Caroline Kelly Phelps, former office secretary of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 369 (located in Cordova, Tenn.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution totaling $36,823 and a $100 special assessment.  On February 7, 2019, Phelps pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.  On May 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of

On May 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Michael Carney, former facilities and real estate manager for an international labor organization (located in Herndon, Va.), with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371) for conspiring with, among others, the owner of a contracting company.  The information charges that the contracting company provided the subject with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for Carney and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union’s service agreements and maintenance contracts.  With Carney’s knowledge, the contracting company submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits.  Carney also pleaded guilty to the charge on this date.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On 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 355 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 Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On May 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Amy Barber (Rodman), former Treasurer for the National Staff Organization Ind, Florida Staff Organization (FSO), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds and one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 439(b), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Robert Kurtycz, former Comptroller of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Chicago Midwest Regional Joint Board (located in Chicago, Ill.), was indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit commercial bribery, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/29A, and thereafter, did perform and attempt to perform an act of promotion, management, and carry on, and facilitation of the promotion, management, and carrying on, of the unlawful activity, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1952(a)(3), all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 (Conspiracy).  Kurtycz was also indicted on six counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  One count pertains to the electronic transfer of union funds for unauthorized expense reimbursements totaling $85,962.  The remaining five counts of wire fraud pertain to electronic funds transfers for the purpose of executing the above conspiracy and wire fraud schemes.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On May 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Bud G. Sherwood, former Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communication Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU-IAM) Lodge 6546 (located in Bellevue, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $10,813, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office

On April 23, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephen Perez, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 402 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was charged with one count of embezzling approximately $14,408 in union funds, one count of filing a false LM report, and one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 439(b), and 439(c), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 15, 2019, in United States District Court for Southern District of Iowa, Theodore E. Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 TD (located in Beecher, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation.  Cranston was also ordered to pay the remaining $9,999 of $28,084 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On January 17, 2019, Cranston pleaded guilty to one-count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On April 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted on two counts of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)) and two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of the Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association (located in St. Helens, Ore.), was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $10,621 and a $25 assessment.  On December 20, 2018, Burgess pleaded guilty to one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 10, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent Esposito pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  Esposito admitted to participating in an illegal enterprise from 2001 through 2017.  Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), were also charged in the same indictment as Esposito and have previously pleaded guilty.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Mark Douglas, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1101 (located in Arabi, La.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $7,078, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 9, 2019, in the Marlborough Division of the Middlesex District Court of Massachusetts, Edgar Barajas, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 4-1702 (located in Marlborough, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts to sustain a charge of Larceny over $250, in violation of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 266, section 30.  Barajas admitted to making unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s checking account and making unauthorized debit-card purchases totaling $10,279.  Under an agreement between the prosecutor, defense counsel, and the union, the court continued the case without a finding for one year and will dismiss the charges if Barajas makes full restitution to the union and pays all associated court fees within that time.  The plea and agreement follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On April 9, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical, Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home confinement, and two years of probation.  Wisecarver was also ordered to pay $53,704 in restitution.  On December 19, 2018, Wisecarver pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 2, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the UAW Chrysler Department (located in Detroit, Mich.) and Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center from 2014 through 2016, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1)) and one count of failure to file income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7203).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Jonathon Ortino, former President of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 165 (located in San Francisco, Calif.), was charged in a three-count indictment with making false entries with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-3 Report for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2) & 2 (False Statements to a Government Agency).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Business Agent/Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 935-B (located in Worcester, Mass.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $37,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On March 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Vincent D’Acunto, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 18, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Norwood Jewell, former United Auto Workers (UAW) International Vice President in the UAW Chrysler Department and Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) from 2014 through 2016, was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  Jewell knowingly joined a conspiracy whereby he received money and things of value from persons acting in the interest of FCA and/or approved UAW officials to use their NTC credit cards to make over $40,000 in purchases for himself, senior UAW officials, and other UAW members, which were delivered through and concealed by the NTC, from 2014 through 2016.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations.

On March 15, 2019, in the Marion County, Indiana Superior Court, Charlotte F. McDaniel, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3826 (located in Indianapolis, Ind.), was indicted for three counts theft of union funds with a value between $750 and $50,000, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On March 11, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Frank Cognetta, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office SDNY, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York City Police Department, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Karen Auer, a former principal of an accounting firm, was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $7,194 in restitution.  On August 3, 2018 Auer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor information for filing fraudulent returns, statements or other documents, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7207.  On May 31, 2018, Auer was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371), and making a false statement (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On March 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  Hawk was also ordered to pay $362,623 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On November 28, 2018, Hawk pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $300,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 1, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, a criminal information was filed charging Howard Janoske, the co-owner of an HVAC and plumbing company in Maryland, with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union funds for conspiring with, among others, an employee of an international labor organization located in Herndon, VA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The information charges that Janoske’s company provided the union’s facilities and real estate manager with tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks including a high-end outdoor kitchen and free HVAC and plumbing services for the union manager and a relative in exchange for the awarding of the union’s service agreements and maintenance contracts.  With the union manager’s knowledge, Janoske and his subordinates submitted inflated and fraudulent invoices to the union to recoup the expenses for the personal benefits.  Janoske then pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 27, 2019, in the Vermilion County, Indiana Circuit Court, Darin Kingrey, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 706 (located in Cayuga, Ind.), pleaded guilty to two counts of theft (Level 6 Felony) in the amount of $7,464, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao, the managing partner of an accounting firm, was sentenced to two years supervised release to include six months of home confinement, and ordered to pay $9,592 in restitution, $18,700 in forfeiture, and a $3,000 fine.  On August 2, 2018, Armao pleaded guilty to an information for false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027.  On May 31, 2018, Armao was charged by complaint with aiding and abetting an embezzlement of union funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), false statements in employee benefit plan records and reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).  Armao’s clients included the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122, a small independent union located in Long Island, NY, and the affiliated United Health and Welfare Fund.  Rocco Fazzolari, the former President and Fund Administrator of Local 122, previously pleaded guilty to, and was sentenced for, embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.  Armao’s false filings concealed Fazzolari’s embezzlement.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On February 26, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John Matassa Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Workers Union Independent Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $738, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Matassa received $33,513 by issuing unauthorized union checks to his wife, and as a result, received approximately $75,108 in Old-Age Insurance Benefits to which he was not entitled.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 25, 2019, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, Terry Slaughter, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1208 (located in Tar Heel, N.C.), pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $62,315, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 25, 2019, in United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Urbana Division, Anthony Edmunds, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation, 12 months of home confinement, and he was ordered to pay restitution of $19,482 and a $100 assessment.  On October 25, 2018, Edmunds pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On February 21, 2019, in the United States District Court for the SouthernDistrict of New York, John Ulrich, former Vice President and Recording Secretary of Teamsters Local 812 (a union representing beverage industry workers located in Great Neck, N.Y.), was charged with offenses related to alleged bribes from a third party administrator (TPA) given in exchange for Ulrich’s use of his influence with the union and its health fund.  The indictment charged Ulrich with soliciting and receiving bribe payments to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 1954 and 2), conspiracy to solicit and receive bribe payments to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 371), honest services health care fraud (18 U.S.C. 1347, 1346 and 2), and conspiracy to commit honest services health care fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On February 20, 2019, in Adams County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, David Dauman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3495 (located in Oxford, Wis.), was charged with one count of felony theft of approximately $3,597, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b)&(3)(bf).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 14, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Christy Little Coppin, former office secretary of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2250 (located in Muskogee, Okla.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 11, 2019, in the Worcester District Court, Darius Pourfarzaneh, former Trustee of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 935B (located in Worcester, Mass.), was charged in a one-count complaint for Larceny Over $250, in the amount of $6,870, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, §30(1).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On February 8, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to five months of home detention and 36 months of probation.  Restitution was not ordered as another defendant previously paid the entire $57,000 in restitution.  On May 29, 2018, Mulhall pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 7, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Caroline Kelly Phelps, former office secretary of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 369 (located in Cordova, Tenn.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $40,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 6, 2019,in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Karen Pierce, former employee of Plumbers Local 142 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was charged in an eight-count indictment for theft of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas New Orleans Office.

On January 31, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Kevin Crownover, former Treasurer of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local Lodge 2947 (located in Lemoore, Calif.), was charged with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1), respectively, for an embezzlement in the amount of $50,879.  The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 34 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), 23 counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful payments from an employer (18 U.S.C. 371), eight counts of accepting unlawful payments from an employer (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(2),(b)(1) & (d)(2)), one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 11 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), and one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), two counts of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), two counts of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)), and five counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), four counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), three counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343), two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee (18 U.S.C. 1343), one count of filing a false LM report (29 U.S.C. 439(b)), and one count of falsifying union records (29 U.S.C. 439(c)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), six counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and six counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), five counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), and five counts of wire fraud theft from the union (18 U.S.C. 1343).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Anthony Massa, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of theft from employee pension fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 371), 14 counts of honest services wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346), one count of honest services mail fraud (18 U.S.C. 1341, 1346), three counts of accepting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)), and one count of soliciting federal program bribery (18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 29, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an indictment with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 28, 2019, in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Fazzolari, former President of the International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122 (an independent union located in Long Island, N.Y.), was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay $1,288,810 in restitution.  On September 26, 2018, Fazzolari pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, embezzlement of benefit plan funds, and conspiracy to embezzle plan funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the SDNY, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and Employee Benefits Security Administration with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On January 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On January 22, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in an information with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.

On 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.

On January 17, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Edward Cranston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet, Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 1421 (located in Beecher, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of willfully filing a false LM-3 Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The factual basis of the plea agreement noted that Cranston paid himself approximately $28,220 in union funds to which he was not entitled and improperly reported some of these disbursements as an authorized salary on multiple LM-3 reports.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On January 15, 2019, in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey (Trenton), Sergio Acosta, former President and Trustee of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 and the Local 2326 Health and Welfare Fund (located in Edison, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $32,000 in restitution for failure to remit contributions regarding union employees’ health premiums and a $100 special assessment.  On April 6, 2018, Acosta pleaded guilty to a superseding information of one count of theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 664 and 2.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration and Office of Inspector General.

On 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.

On January 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $20,458, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On December 20, 2018, in the United States District Court of Rhode Island, Adam Conheeny, former police officer and former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release.  Conheeny previously paid $20,000 in restitution.  On May 24, 2018, Conheeny, pleaded guilty, admitting that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card, wrote checks from a union account payable to himself, and withdrew cash from an FOP bank account for his own personal use, totaling approximately $31,413, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On December 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association Local 304 (located in St. Helens, Ore.), pleaded guilty to one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On December 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for Southern District of Iowa, Theodore “Ted” Watson, former business manager for Insulators Local 74 (located in Des Moines, Iowa), was indicted for embezzlement, mail fraud, and false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1341, and 18 U.S.C. 1001, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On December 19, 2018, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union assets for embezzling $57,310 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 Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Nancy Adams Johnson, former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in prison and 12 months of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Restitution will be determined at a later proceeding.  On July 23, 2018, Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, stemming from her receipt of over $45,000 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included purchases of luggage, electronics, clothing, and other golf equipment for the personal benefit of Johnson and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On December 17, 2018, in the Jefferson County Circuit Court for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Robin Ray Bishop, former Financial Secretary of Carpenters Local 2501 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was indicted on one count of theft by deception over $500, nine counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument, and one count of falsifying business records, in violation of K.R.S. 514.040, 516.060, and 517.050, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On December 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Lawrence Ackerman, the Chief Operating Officer of “shell” companies including Atlantic Business Associates (ABA) and Atlantic Medical Associates (AMA), pleaded guilty to a superseding information for Health Care Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347, as well as Aiding and Abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2.  Ackerman executed a scheme to defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of New Jersey involving enrollment of ineligible participants who were purported employees of ABA and AMA, both sham companies, in the benefit plan of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 (located in South River, N.J.), which had an insurance contract with Horizon BCBS.  Ackerman entered into a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with Local 2326; however, neither ABA nor AMA had any full-time employees eligible for participation in the benefit plan as required by the CBA and benefit plan trust agreement.  The resulting loss to Horizon BCBS was approximately $481,500 because of its payment of healthcare benefits for persons not eligible to receive such benefits.  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General led by the New Jersey US Attorney’s Office.

On December 10, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Johnnie Nicholas, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers Local 4994 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), was sentenced to seven days of incarceration and three years of supervised release.  On the day of sentencing, Nicholas made a remaining restitution payment of $17,650.  Nicholas was also ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  On May 7, 2018, Nicholas pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On December 7, 2018, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Keith Franzese, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 275 (located in Glenn Dale, Md.), was sentenced to 10 years in prison (suspended), 90 days of home detention, and five years of probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution of $67,624.  On June 1, 2018, Franzese entered an Alford plea to one count of theft for stealing $67,624 from the union, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(ii).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Ivar Carlson, former Treasurer/Business Agent of Stage and Picture Operators Local 935(B), located in Worcester, Mass., was arrested and charged in a one-count complaint for embezzlement in the amount of $37,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On December 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Gregory Normand, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 324 (located in Everett, Wash.), was sentenced to 18 months in a federal penitentiary and three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $217,260, and a $300 assessment.  On July 13, 2018, Normand pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $248,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On November 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dorian Nicely, former business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 180 days of home detention and three years of probation.  Nicely was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $53,704 at $350 per month after her release from prison.  On July 17, 2018, Nicely pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dennis Nicely, former Vice President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by 180 days of home detention and three years of probation.  Nicely was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $53,704 at $350 per month after his release from prison.  On July 17, 2018, Nicely pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Roderick Bennett, former Chief of Staff for the Laborers International Union of North America (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On January 18, 2018, Bennett was indicted on three counts of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling approximately $170,000 from the union.  In addition, Bennett and Aimee Occhetti were indicted on one count of health care fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347 & 1349, respectively, for putting Occhetti, who was not a full-time LIUNA employee, on the union’s health care plan when she was not eligible for coverage.  The health plan charges are still pending.  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 16, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Victoria Sharp, former office secretary for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 903 (located in Columbia, Mo.), was sentenced to four months in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons and four years of supervised release, and she was ordered to pay $18,531 in restitution and a $100 court assessment.  On July 23, 2018, Sharp pleaded guilty to bank fraud, in violation 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 16, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $300,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On November 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Tommy Nou, former Financial Secretary of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Local 6602 (located in San Pedro, Calif.), was charged in a six-count indictment for bank fraud in the amount of $6,846, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Las Vegas Resident Office.

On November 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Virdell King, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and former assistant director for the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), both located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to two months in prison and 12 months of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay a $5,500 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Restitution will be determined at a later proceeding.  On August 29, 2017, King pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, stemming from her receipt of over $40,000 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included purchases of luggage, electronics, clothing, and other golf equipment for the personal benefit of King and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Gordon Jeremy Cairns, former President of Steelworkers Local 1089 (located in Harrisburg, S.C.), was sentenced to five years of probation.  He was also ordered to pay $62,871 in restitution, forfeiture of property, and a $100 special assessment.  On March 14, 2018, Cairns pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $62,871, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 7, 2018, in the Third Judicial District in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Daniel Correa, former business agent for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 16 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement (over $20,000), in violation of NMSA §30-16-8.  He was then sentenced to nine years in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (suspended), two years of parole, and five years of supervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,339 and a $180 probation fee.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jerome Durden, former financial analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) and former Controller of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), both located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 15 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,811 for the tax charge and a $125 special assessment.  Restitution with respect to the prohibited payments will be determined at a later proceeding.  On August 8, 2017, Durden pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, by preparing and filing tax returns for the NTC between 2009 and 2015 that falsely concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to former UAW Vice President General Holiefield (now deceased), former FCA Vice President Alphons Iacobelli, and others.  Durden also pleaded guilty to one count of failure to file an income tax return for 2013, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7203.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Brown, a former management employee at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) and former Co-Director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) – Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), both located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Restitution will be determined at a later proceeding.  On May 25, 2018, Brown pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4, for his knowledge of a conspiracy between FCA executives acting in the interest and on behalf of FCA and UAW officials to provide prohibited payments and things of value to UAW officials and concealing such knowledge by deliberately providing misleading and incomplete testimony in the federal grand jury about the conspiracy.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Keith Mickens, former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to 12 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Restitution will be determined at a later proceeding.  On April 5, 2018, Mickens pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for receiving over $7,700 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA, and in obtaining a check in the amount of $13,500 payable to Monica Morgan Photography and used by the late-UAW Vice President General Holiefield and his spouse, Monica Morgan, to pay the remaining balance due on the installation of a swimming pool at their residence.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included purchases of luggage, electronics, clothing, and other golf equipment for the personal benefit of Mickens and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Charles Webster, former President of Steelworkers (formerly Glass Molders Plastics) Local 284 (located in Longview, Tex.), was sentenced to one year of probation.  He was also ordered to pay $4,633 in restitution, a $1,000 fine, and a $25 special assessment.  On May 29, 2018, Webster pleaded guilty to one count of concealing union financial records required to be kept in support of the union’s annual financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 30, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Deborah Hand, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was sentenced to three months of incarceration, five months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release.  Hand was also ordered to pay $44,808 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On July 31, 2018, Hand pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and the United States Secret Service Tulsa Resident Office.

On October 25, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Anthony Edmunds, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $19,482, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Michael A. Taylor, former General Chairman of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainman (BLET)/IBT Division 815 (located in Joliet, Ill.), was sentenced to four years of probation.  Taylor was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service and to pay $59,150 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 20, 2018, Taylor 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 Chicago District Office.

On October 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Timothy Smith, former President of the Civilian Technicians Chapter 84 (located in Anchorage Alaska), was sentenced to eight months in a federal penitentiary and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution totaling $80,990 and a $100 assessment.  On April 13, 2018, Smith pleaded guilty to a single count of making a false statement in order to conceal the embezzlement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On October 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Caroline Kelly Phelps, former office secretary of Operating Engineers International Union (OEIU) Local 369 (located in Cordova, Tenn.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $40,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On October 17, 2018,in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Joan Matthews, former bookkeeper for the Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Charleston, W.Va.), was sentenced to 12 months and one day of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay $141,325 in restitution.  On June 11, 2018, Matthews 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 Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was indicted on three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); two counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union assets, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for participating in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 15, 2018, in the Vermillion County, Indiana Circuit Court, Darin Kingrey, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 706 (located in Cayuga, Ind.), was charged in a two-count information with theft of approximately $7,094 in union funds, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 15, 2018, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, John Zehm, former business manager for the Tile Setters and Finishers Union of Northern California (located in Sacramento, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of Grand Theft, in violation of California Penal Code 487(a).  Zehm was then sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended) and three years of informal probation, and he was ordered to pay $300 in fines.  As a condition of his plea agreement, Zehm previously paid restitution in the amount of $14,014.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On October 5, 2018, in the City of Williston, North Dakota, Williams County Court, Kenneth Keith Kirk Evans, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1494 (located in Williston, N.D.), pleaded guilty to Theft of Property, in violation of North Dakota Century Code Section 12.1-23-02, Misdemeanor A.  His sentencing was deferred until November 30, 2019.  In the petition to enter a plea of guilty, Evans admitted to knowingly exercising unauthorized control over the property of another with the intent to deprive the owner thereof.  Evans was sentenced to 360 days of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $3,562 by October 8, 2018 and fees totaling $325.  The guilty plea and deferred sentence follow an investigation by OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On October 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $20,458, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, David Thomas Hendricks, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Stage and Picture Operators (IATSE) Local 900 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), was sentenced to five years of probation.  Hendricks was also ordered to pay $13,987 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On May 21, 2018, Hendricks pleaded guilty to one-count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 26, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Fazzolari, former President of International Brotherhood of Trade Unions Local 122, an independent union located in East Meadow, N.Y., pleaded guilty to an information for Embezzlement of Union Funds (29 U.S.C. 501c), Embezzlement from an Employee Benefit Plan as well as Conspiracy to Embezzle from an Employee Benefit Plan (18 U.S.C. 664 and 371).  More than $128,000 was embezzled from the union and more than $1.1 million from the benefit fund.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On September 25, 2018, in the Waupaca County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Teresa Adkins, former business manager of Heat & Frost Insulators Local 127 (located in Clintonville, Wisc.), pleaded no contest to one count of theft in a business setting of more than $10,000 and one count of forgery, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b) and 943.38(1)(a), respectively.  Adkins was then sentenced to five years of probation for the first count and three years of probation for the second count.  Adkins was also ordered to pay $73,618 in restitution and $8,418 in fines.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by OLMS Minneapolis Resident Office.

On September 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, John Burgess, former President of Pacific Stainless Products Employee Association Local 304 (located in St. Helens, Ore.), was indicted for one count of embezzling approximately $35,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Additionally, Burgess was indicted for one count of concealment or destruction of labor union financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Spartanburg Division, Dana Quinn Roush, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local  403 (located in Spartanburg, S.C.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $10,089, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On August 27, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), was sentenced to 66 months in prison and 24 years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $853,522 for the tax charge, a $10,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  Restitution for the one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) will be determined at a later date.  On January 22, 2018, Iacobelli pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the LMRA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for paying and delivering over $1.5 million in prohibited payments and things of value to officers and employees of the United Auto Workers.  Iacobelli also pleaded guilty to one count of failing to report on his 2014 individual tax return approximately $861,927 in income, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 24, 2018, in the United States District Court Southern District of Illinois, Scott Alexander and Nancy Alexander, former President and former office administrator, respectively, for Teamsters Local 50 (located in Belleville, Ill.), were each sentenced to six months in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to be served concurrently, six months of home confinement, and three years of probation.  They were also ordered to pay $44,576 in restitution and a $200 court assessment.  On May 17, 2018, Scott Alexander and Nancy Alexander pleaded guilty to embezzlement and wire fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1343, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 22, 2018, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Marlborough District Court, Edgar Barajas, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 4-1702 (located in Marlborough, Mass.), was charged with three counts of Larceny over $250 (MGL Ch. 266, Sec. 30A) for the embezzlement of approximately $11,000 in union funds.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 20, 2018, in the Clark County, Indiana Circuit Court, Diana Brown, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84807 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.), pleaded guilty to 10 felony counts of forgery, in violation of Indiana Revised Code 35-43-5-2(b)(1).  Brown was then sentenced to eight years in jail (six years suspended with two years of daily reporting probation for non-resident) and six years of probation.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On August 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 15, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Carl DeRenzis, former Treasurer of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 1955 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to three years of probation with the first six months to be served in a residential re-entry center and 50 hours of community service.  DeRenzis was also ordered to pay $15,701 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  He previously paid restitution in the amount of $37,580.  On October 30, 2017, DeRenzis pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On August 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Natalie Przybylski, former office staff employee for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 76 (located in Englewood, Colo.), pleaded guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  She was then sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay $321 in restitution and a $25 court assessment.  Przybylski previously paid restitution in the amount of $17,620.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Natalie Przybylski, former office staff employee for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 76 (located in Englewood, Colo.), was charged in an information with one count of false statements in records required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 3, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Karen Auer, a principal of an accounting firm, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor information for Filing Fraudulent Returns, Statements or Other Documents, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7207.  On May 31, 2018, Auer and Salvatore Armao, the managing partner at the same accounting firm, were charged by complaint with Aiding and Abetting an Embezzlement of Union Funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).  Auer was also charged in the complaint with making a False Statement (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On August 2, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao, the managing partner of an accounting firm, pleaded guilty to an information for False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027.  On May 31, 2018, Armao and Karen Auer, a principal at the same accounting firm, were charged by complaint with Aiding and Abetting an Embezzlement of Union Funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On July 31, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Deborah Hand, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), pleaded guilty to  embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $44,808, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and United States Secret Service Tulsa Resident Office.

On July 25, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocky DeFilippo, former Delegate of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 (located in Metuchen, N.J.), was sentenced to three months of home confinement, two years of probation, and he was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and a $300 special assessment.  On March 2, 2018, DeFilippo was convicted by a jury of one count of making false statements, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and one count of wire fraud.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Amtrak Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

On July 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Deborah Hand, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal Workers Local 270 (located in Tulsa, Okla.), was charged in a one count information for embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $44,808, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office and United States Secret Service Tulsa Resident Office.

On July 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Victoria Sharp, former office secretary for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 903 (located in Columbia, Mo.), was charged in an information with one count of bank fraud in the amount of $18,531, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  On the same date, Sharp pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On July 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Nancy Adams Johnson, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Ronald Coldren, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 207 (located in Findlay, Ohio), was sentenced to probation for two years with standard and additional specifications.  On March 28, 2018, Coldren pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $30,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Pamela Noble, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 6904 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation.  Noble was also ordered to pay $43,274 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On February 13, 2018, Noble pleaded guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dennis Nicely, former Vice President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle $57,310 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 Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Henry Clay Green, Sr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees - Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (UNITE HERE) Local 26 (located in Medford, Mass.), was sentenced to six months in prison and one year of supervised release.  Restitution and forfeiture will be determined at a hearing scheduled for September 26, 2018.  On December 1, 2017, Green pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On July 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dorian Nicely, former business agent for International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle $57,310 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 Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 13, 2018, in the State of Connecticut, Superior Court District of Tolland, Sharon Thompson, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 5143 (located in Rocky Hill, Conn.), was arrested and charged in an information with one count of Larceny in the 2nd Degree (CGS 53a-123) for the embezzlement of $13,098 from the union.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On July 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Monica Morgan, the wife of the late General Holiefield, a former Vice President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 12 months of supervised release.  Morgan was also ordered to pay $190,747 in restitution, a $25,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  On February 6, 2018, Morgan pleaded guilty to failing to report $201,231 in income she received on her 2011 individual tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Gregory Normand, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 324 (located in Everett, Wash.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $248,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two (2) counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On July 2, 2018, in El Paso County Colorado District Court, Ashley Jacobson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2430 (located in Colorado Springs, Colo.), was charged with two counts of theft, in violation of C.R.S. 18-4-401(1)(b),(2)(g) and 18-4-401(1)(b),(2)(e).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On June 29, 2018, in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Passaic County), Sharon Williams-Savage, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2425 (located in East Orange, N.J.), was sentenced to five years of probation (non-reporting).  Williams-Savage was also ordered to pay $180 per month in restitution totaling $18,000, a $30 law enforcement assessment fee, and a $75 penalty to the court.  On April 4, 2018, Williams-Savage pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree theft by unlawful taking, in violation of NJSA 2C: 20 - 3.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the New Jersey State Police-Official Corruption Bureau.

On June 27, 2018, 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.), was indicted on one count of bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud, and two counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, 18 U.S.C. 1341, and 18 U.S.C. 1028A, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On June 27, 2018, 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.), was indicted on one count of interstate transportation of stolen property for transporting $11,300 in stolen currency from the District of Columbia to Virginia, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On June 26, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dorian Nicely, former business agent of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 26, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Dennis Nicely, former Vice President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle labor union assets for embezzling $57,310 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 25, 2018, in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, John Zehm, former business manager for the Tile Setters and Finishers Union of Northern California (located in Sacramento, Calif.), was indicted on one count of grand theft of a value exceeding $950 and one count of embezzlement, in violation of California Penal Code 487(a) and 503, respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 18, 2018, in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Daniel Ross, former Treasurer of Transportation and Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6721 (located in Oakland, Calif.), pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of Grand Theft of Personal Property in the amount of $4,607, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(a).  Ross was immediately sentenced to 30 days of incarceration (suspended) and three years of probation.  He was also ordered to pay $4,607 in restitution and a $240 fine.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Cheryl Angell, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-144 (located in Combined Locks, Wisc.), was sentenced to 13 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  Angell was also ordered to pay $98,711 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 22, 2018, Angell pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $98,711 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 11, 2018, in the 185th District Court, Harris County of Texas, David Carter, former President of Teamsters Local 968 (located in Houston, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of Class A Theft in the amount of $2,443, in violation of Texas Statute 31.03(e)(3).  On the same date, Carter was sentenced to two years deferred adjudication and ordered to pay $2,443 in restitution.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans Office.

On June 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Joan Matthews, former bookkeeper for the Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Charleston, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $183,667, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On June 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Nathan Lum, former Longshore Division Director of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was indicted on one count of theft of public money, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and five counts of failure to file income tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641, 18 U.S.C. 1028A(a)(1), and 26 U.S.C. 7203, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the FBI.

On June 5, 2018, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Sophia Love, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(ii), for stealing $15,548 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On June 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Evelyn Romero, former President of United Industrial and Service Workers of America (UISWA) Local 101 (located in Colton, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $1,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); and one count of permitting a barred individual to hold union office and employment, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 504.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 1, 2018, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Keith Franzese, former President of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 275 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), entered an Alford plea to one count of theft of more than $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(ii), for stealing $67,624 from the union.  An Alford Plea is a guilty plea of a defendant who proclaims he is innocent of the crime, and admits that the prosecution has enough evidence to prove that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On May 31, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Armao and Karen Auer, respectively the managing partner and the principal of an accounting firm, were charged by complaint with Aiding and Abetting an Embezzlement of Union Funds (18 U.S.C. 2 and 29 U.S.C. 501c), False Statements in Employee Benefit Plan Records and Reports (18 U.S.C. 1027), and Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371).  Auer was also charged with making a False Statement (18 U.S.C. 1001).  The complaint follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the SDNY, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice’s Labor-Management Racketeering Unit.

On May 29, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Charles Webster, former President of Steelworkers (formerly Glass, Molders, and Plastics) Local 284 (located in Longview, Tex.), was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of failing to maintain records, which were required to be kept in support of the union’s annual financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 29, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 25, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Brown, a former management employee at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) (located in Detroit, Mich.), and former Co-Director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) – Chrysler National Training Center (NTC) pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4.  The guilty plea stems from Brown’s knowledge of a conspiracy between FCA executives acting in the interest and on behalf of FCA and UAW officials to provide prohibited payments and things of value to UAW officials and concealing such knowledge by deliberately providing misleading and incomplete testimony in the federal grand jury about the conspiracy.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On May 24, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Adam Conheeny, former Treasurer of  Fraternal Order of Police, Local Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), pleaded guilty to one count of Wire Fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.  The total amount of funds fraudulently converted was approximately $31,413.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police Financial Crimes Unit.

On May 22, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Roger Harris, former president of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local Union 3048 (located in Lompoc, Ca.), was charged  in a one-count indictment for wire fraud in the amount of $36,150, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Department of Treasury, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

On May 21, 2018, in the Ramsey County (Minnesota) District Court, Latasha Wilson, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1969 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was sentenced to 20 years of probation and 100 hours of community service to be completed within the first year of probation.  Wilson was also ordered to pay $58,150 in restitution and a $50 fine.  On March 16, 2018, Wilson pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of more than $35,000, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(a)(4).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General.

On May 21, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, David Hendricks, former Secretary Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Stage and Picture Operators (IATSE) Local 900 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $13,957.78, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 17, 2018, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois, Scott Alexander, former president for Teamsters Local 50 (located in Belleville, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of wire fraud, in violations of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 USC 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 17, 2018, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois, Nancy Alexander, former office administrator for Teamsters Local 50 (located in Belleville, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement and one count of wire fraud, in violations of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 USC 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Maria Nunez, former office secretary of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 1484 (located in Wilmington, Calif.), was sentenced to probation for a term of 2 years, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,868.50 and assessed a $25 penalty.  On January 4, 2018, Nunez pled guilty to one count of false statement in records required to be maintained by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On May 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Richard D’Antuono, former Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCM) Local 40 (located in Cranston, R.I.), was sentenced to three years imprisonment followed by three years supervised release for one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), one count of embezzling from an employee benefit fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1028A.  D’Antuono was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $319,795 and a special assessment of $300.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On May 11, 2018, in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Newport News Division, Christopher Mulhall, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264 (located in Hampton, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzlement in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 for taking part in an embezzlement of $57,310.03 from the union.  The information is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

On May 7, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Johnnie Nicholas, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 4994 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $37,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On April 25, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Steven Minella, former President/Business Agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), received a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $38,000 to Local 324 as well as a $100 special assessment.  On September 2, 2015, Minella pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony (18 U.S.C. 4) for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion by another Local 324 official (18 U.S.C. 1951).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On 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.

On April 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Adam Conheeny, former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the amount of $31,413, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 23, 2018, in the United States District Court of North Dakota, John J. Bickerstaff, former Treasurer of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 133 (located in Bismarck, North Dakota), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of supervised release.  Bickerstaff was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $91,223.85 and a $100 special assessment.  On January 24, 2018, Bickerstaff pled guilty to one count of embezzling $91,223.85 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On April 20, 2018, in the United States District Court District of Southern Illinois, Wendy Buch, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer for Transportation Communication Union (TCU) Lodge T-574 (located in Shiloh, Ill.), was sentenced to five (5) years probation and was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $11,957.34 and pay a $150 special assessment.  On December 14, 2017 Buch pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 19, 2018, in the Williams County (North Dakota) NW Judicial District Court, Kenneth Keith Kirk Evans, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1494 (located in Williston, N.D.), was charged in a one-count complaint with theft of property, a Class C felony, in violation of North Dakota Century Code Sections 12.1-23-02(1) and 12.1-23-05(3).  The complaint alleges that Evans exercised unauthorized control of between $3,500 and $3,600 in funds belonging to NALC Branch 1494 with the intent of depriving Branch 1494 of said property, knowing that he was not privileged to do so.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On April 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, David Hart, former Financial Secretary/Business Agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was sentenced to time-served and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,000 to Local 324 and a $100 special assessment.  On February 24, 2015, Hart pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony (18 U.S.C. 4) for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion by another Local 324 official (18 U.S.C. 1951).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On April 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the state of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was sentenced to serve fourteen (14) months in a federal penitentiary and three (3) years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $139,960, and assessed a $100 penalty.  Reddig had previously pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $193,000 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.

On April 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Timothy Smith, former President of the Civilian Technicians Chapter 84 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), pled guilty to one count of making a false statement to conceal the embezzlement of over $80,000 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing is scheduled for September 13, 2018.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 13, 2018, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Suffolk County Superior Court, Juan Evereteze, former President of Government Employees AFGE, AFL-CIO, Local 3258 (located in Boston, Mass.), was indicted on four counts of Larceny Over $250 by Single Scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. 266, § 30, and one count of False Entry/Omission in Book of Corporation by Single Scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. 266. § 67.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On April 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, an information was filed charging Johnnie Nicholas, former Financial Secretary of Mine Workers Local 4994 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $37,900, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On April 12, 2018, in the United States District Court District of Montana, Alicia Rooney, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 459 (located in Missoula, IL), was sentenced to 3 months confinement, 3 years probation, restitution in the amount of $163,554.95, and a $100 special assessment.  On November 28, 2017 Rooney pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and one count of embezzlement from an employee benefit plan in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Mervin Hawk, former president of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1640 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling over $600,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On April 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Jason Richard, former Secretary-Treasurer of the United Streel Workers (USW) Local 12-990 (located in Wallula, Wash.), was sentenced to six (6) months in a federal penitentiary and two (2) years of supervised release, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,649, and assessed a $100 penalty.  Richard had previously pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $40,000 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.

On April 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Marianne Rodacy, former Financial/Recording Secretary of Steelworkers Local 10-53-G (located in Charleroi, Pa.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation.  Rodacy was also ordered to pay a $2,500 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Rodacy had previously paid $21,539 in restitution.  On December 15, 2017, Rodacy pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $13,109 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On April 6, 2018, in the United States District Court, District of New Jersey (Trenton), Sergio Acosta, former President and Trustee of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 (located in Edison, N.J.), pleaded guilty to a superseding information charging him with one count of theft, embezzlement and conversion to his own use, or to the use of another, money and funds of the UAW Local 2326 health and welfare fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 664 and 2.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On April 5, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Keith Mickens, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), located in Detroit, Mich., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The guilty plea stems from his receipt of over $7,700 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA, and in obtaining a check in the amount of $13,500 payable to Monica Morgan Photography and used by the late-UAW Vice President General Holiefield and his spouse, Monica Morgan, to pay the remaining balance due on the installation of a swimming pool at their residence.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included purchases of luggage, electronics, clothing, and other golf equipment for the personal benefit of Mickens and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On April 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, David Hendricks, former Secretary Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Stage and Picture Operators (IATSE) Local 900 (located in Huntsville, Ala.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $13,957, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On April 4, 2018, in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Passaic County), Sharon Williams-Savage, Former President of AFGE Local 2425, (located in East Orange, N.J.) pled guilty to one count of fourth-degree theft by unlawful taking, in violation of NJSA 2C: 20 - 3.  Her sentencing is scheduled for June 22, 2018.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by OLMS New York District Office and the New Jersey State Police-Official Corruption Bureau.

On April 3, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Michael Brown, a former management employee at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA) (located in Detroit, Mich.), and former Co-Director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) -Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), was charged in a fifth superseding information with one count of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4.  Brown is alleged to have had knowledge of a conspiracy between FCA executives acting in the interest and on behalf of FCA and UAW officials to provide prohibited payments and things of value to UAW officials and to have concealed such knowledge by deliberately providing misleading and incomplete testimony in the federal grand jury about the conspiracy.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 29, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, Tyler Farrar, former Financial Secretary for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 88C (located in Bastrop, La.), was charged in a one count indictment for embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 28, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Ronald Coldren, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 207 (located in Findlay, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $30,639, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On March 26, 2018, in the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey, Paul Moe Sr., a former general foreman and member of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), Local 1804-1 (located in North Bergen, N.J.) was sentenced to 24-months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Moe was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $749,000.  On October 31, 2017, after a seven-day trial, a jury found Moe guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 13 substantive counts of wire fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 1343, stemming from his no-show job at the Port of Elizabeth terminal in New Jersey, with an annual salary of $500,000.   The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office; the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Employee Benefits Security Administration, New York Region; the Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations-Labor Racketeering and Fraud; and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.

On March 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Estes Evans, former treasurer of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-33 (located in Milwaukee, Wis.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of supervised release. Evans was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $44,446.86 and a $100 special assessment. On December 22, 2017, Evans pled guilty to one count of embezzling $44,446.86 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 22, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Cheryl Angell, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-144 (located in Combined Locks, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $98,711 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Michael A. Taylor, former General Chairman of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 815 (located in Joliet, Ill.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $24,868 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  He then pleaded guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 16, 2018, in the Ramsey County (Minnesota) District Court, Latasha Wilson, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1969 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of more than $35,000, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(a)(4).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On March 14, 2018, in the Indiana 32nd Judicial Circuit Court, LaPorte County, Thomas H. Rodgers, Jr., former General Chairman for SMART General Committee of Adjustment 247 (formerly located in LaPorte, Ind.) pled guilty to one count of theft, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  Following his guilty plea, Rodgers, Jr., was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $3,672.45.  The guilty plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, Gordon Cairns, former President of United Steelworkers Local 1089 (located in Harrisburg, N.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $63,999, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Nancy Adams Johnson, a former senior official in the UAW Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW) (located in Detroit, Mich.) was charged in an indictment with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, and four counts of receiving and accepting prohibited money and things of value from a union employer, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186, stemming from her receipt of over $38,847 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included personal travel, golf resort fees, lavish meals, limousine services, designer clothing, jewelry, designer shoes, golf equipment, electronics, and a shotgun for the personal benefit of Johnson and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 14, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, John Hamilton, former business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was sentenced to 24 months in prison and 2 years of supervised release.  Hamilton was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $250,000 and a $100 special assessment.  On August 18, 2017, Hamilton pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1951.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kimberly Steinhoff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 2-87 (located in Munising, Mich.), was sentenced and ordered to immediately pay $10,651.52 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, and a $25 special assessment.  On January 11, 2018, Steinhoff pled guilty to a one-count information of falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On March 7, 2018, in the City of Chicago, IL, Cook County Court, Milton Thomas, former Shop Chairman of Auto Workers Local 890 (located in Morton Grove, Ill.), was indicted on one count of Theft, Class 2 of between $10,000 to $100,000 in violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes 720 ILCS 5/16-1(a)(2) and Forgery 720 ILCS 5.0/17-3(a)(2) for making unauthorized checks payable to himself for lost wages and for forging union disbursement vouchers.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 6, 2018, in the Summers County West Virginia Court, Steven Brumit, former secretary treasurer of the Locomotive Engineers, IBT, West Virginia State Legislative Board (formerly located in Hinton, W. Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzling in excess of $6,433.76 in violation of West Virginia Code 61-3-20 and felonious fraudulent scheme for writing 13 unauthorized checks to himself.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On March 2, 2018, in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, Rocky DeFilippo, former delegate of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 (located in Metuchen, N.J.), was found guilty by a federal jury of:  one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349; and one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Amtrak Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

On February 21, 2018, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, MD, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, MD), was sentenced to 10 years in prison (suspended), 90 days of home detention, and 5 years of probation.  She was also ordered to pay restitution of $46,271.52.  On November 21, 2017, White pled guilty to one count of theft with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On February 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, the former office manager and bookkeeper of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was sentenced to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $307,562.54 and a $100 special assessment.  On November 13, 2017, DeBoer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 15, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Tamika Bullock, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 684 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was sentenced to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release.  Bullock was also ordered to pay $24,600 in restitution.  On November 14, 2017, Bullock pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $24,600 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On February 15, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Timothy Smith, former President of the Civilian Technicians Association Chapter 84 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was served with an information for one count of making a false statement to conceal the embezzlement of over $80,000 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The filing of the information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On February 13, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Pamela Noble, former Financial Secretary for Steelworkers Local 6904 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  She then pleaded guilty to embezzling $43,274.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Raymond C. Ventrone, former Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.) was sentenced to 41 months incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised released and ordered to pay $2,391,183 in restitution to Boilermakers Local 154 and $500,000 restitution to Zurich Surety for embezzlement of union funds. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $223,881 to the Internal Revenue Service for tax evasion.   On September 14, 2017, Ventrone pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and one count of tax evasion in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201.  The sentencing follows an investigation of the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office along with the FBI, DOL-OIG, and the IRS.

On February 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Ryan Jones, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local S-6 (located in Bath, Maine), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. The court also ordered Jones to pay restitution totaling $280,865. On September 6, 2017, Jones pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On 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.

On February 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Keith Mickens, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW) (located in Detroit, Mich.) was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, stemming from his receipt of over $7,500 in prohibit payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2010 and 2015, included purchases of luggage, electronics, designer clothing, and other golf equipment for the personal benefit of Mickens and other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card account of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The charge, which was sealed until March 13, 2018, follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On February 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Monica Morgan, the wife of the late General Holiefield, a former Vice President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to failing to report $201,231 in income she received on her 2011 individual tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1).  The sentencing is scheduled for June 4, 2018.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On February 6, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Glenn Smith, the former Controller of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison and two years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $534,097.  On October 3, 2017, Smith pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On January 24, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, John J. Bickerstaff, former Treasurer of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 133 (located in Bismarck, N.D.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $91,223, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On January 23, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Joan Matthews, former bookkeeper for the Charleston Building and Construction Trades Council (CBCTC), located in Charleston, W.Va., was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $183,667 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On January 23, 2018, in the Hamilton County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Elizabeth Merrill, former Secretary-Treasurer of Government Security Officers (UGSOA) Local 251 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of attempted theft and one count of attempted forgery in violation of O.R.C. 2923.02, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail (suspended), one year of probation, and a $100 fine.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 22, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alphons “Al” Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) for paying and delivering over $1.5 million in prohibited payments and things of value to officers and employees of the United Auto Workers (UAW), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred between 2009 and 2015, included designer clothing, jewelry, furniture, custom-made watches, cases of custom-labeled wine ($3,000), and paying off the mortgage on the personal residence of a UAW vice president ($262,219).  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card accounts of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of workers.  Iacobelli also pleaded guilty to one count of failing to report on his 2014 individual tax returns approximately $861,927 in income, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On January 22, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Matthew Smith, former Treasurer of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 576 (located in Hurst, Tex.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison and one year of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $300,848 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On October 4, 2017, Smith pleaded guilty to embezzling union funds from Local 576, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jeni May Hughes, former office manager for Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 155 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was sentenced to 30 months of confinement and three years of supervised release, and she was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $428,874 and a $100 special assessment.  On May 10, 2017, Hughes pleaded guilty to a one-count criminal information charging her with embezzling $428,874 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 19, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Guy Gokey, former Financial Secretary of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 59 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay outstanding restitution in the amount of $2,753.  On July 26, 2017, Gokey pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $14,074.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 18, 2018, Roderick Bennett, former Chief of Staff for the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), located in Washington, D.C., was indicted on three counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $170,000 from the union.  In addition, Bennett and Aimee Occhetti were indicted on one count of health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347, and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349, for putting Occhetti on the union’s health care plan when she was not eligible for coverage.  Occhetti was not a full-time employee of LIUNA and therefore not eligible to participate in the plan.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 18, 2018, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Richard D’Antuono, former Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of the Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCM) Local 40 (located in Cranston, R.I.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), one count of embezzling from an employee benefit fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A).  The total amount embezzled was approximately $319,795.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On January 17, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Cheryl Angell, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-144 (located in Combined Locks, Wisc.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of $98,711 and four counts of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c) and 29 U.S.C 439(b), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 12, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Norman Baker, former Financial Secretary of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 220 (located in Axtell, Tex.), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay $4,249, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  On October 24, 2017, Baker pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $8,310 from Local 220, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 11, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kimberly Steinhoff, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 87 (located in Munising, Mich.), pleaded guilty to a superseding one-count information charging her with falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On January 10, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Angela Parrish-Wilson, former office manager for Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Workers Union (RWDSU) Joint Council 932 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was sentenced to one month in prison and five years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $38,057.  On July 27, 2017, Parrish-Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office.

On January 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, five individuals were indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 1962): Frank Cognetta, Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), Vincent D’Acunto, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of UFCW Local 2D (located in Brooklyn, N.Y.), as well as Vincent Esposito, Steven Arena, and Frank Giovinco.  Cognetta was also charged with Bribery in Connection with Employee Benefit Plans (18 U.S.C. 1954) and Honest Services Fraud (18 U.S.C. 1346).  D’Acunto, Jr., Esposito, and Arena were also charged with Extortion Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 1951).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, SDNY, the FBI, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the NYPD.

On January 4, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Maria Nunez, former office secretary for International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 1484 (located in Wilmington, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of false statements in records required to be maintained by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

 

Last Updated: 1-23-23

On December 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Estes Evans, former Treasurer of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-33 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $44,446 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On December 21, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Russell Gloeckl, former maintenance employee for Boilermakers Local 154 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of receiving stolen property, in violation of 18 Pennsylvania Criminal Code 3925(a).  He was then sentenced to one year of probation.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation and he was ordered to serve 200 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay remaining restitution in the amount of $15,088.  On July 12, 2017, Moore pleaded guilty to embezzlement of $18,857, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On December 15, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Marianne Rodacy, former Financial-Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 10-53-G (located in Charleroi, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $13,109 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On December 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Jason Richard, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 12-990 (located in Wallula, Wash.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling over $40,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On December 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Wendy Buch, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communication Union (TCU) Local T-574 (located in Shiloh, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling funds in the amount of $11,957, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis Office.

On December 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, William Uggiano, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1699 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation with 50 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,350 and a $100 special assessment.  On September 6, 2017, Uggiano pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Michael Evans, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1699 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation with 50 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $65,775 and a $100 special assessment.  On September 6, 2017, Evans pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 5, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Anthony Edmunds, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $19,482 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On December 1, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Henry Clay Green, Sr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees - Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (UNITE HERE) Local 26 (located in Medford, Mass.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $171,455 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marcus Nabried’s petition seeking a reduction in the statutory disability, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. Section 504(a), to seek employment with American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1199C (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was denied. Nabried’s disqualification under Section 504 is result of his August 25, 2011 conviction, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, for bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The denial of the petition follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On November 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Eastern Division, Douglas Morin, former Treasurer of the United Steelworkers Local 9520 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was sentenced to five years of probation (probation will terminate after one year, provided that the restitution is paid in full).  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,519 and a $25 special assessment.  On August 17, 2017, Morin pleaded guilty to one count of Falsification of Financial Records Required to be Kept by Labor Union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On November 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Alicia Rooney, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 459 (located in Missoula, Mont.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union in the amount of $171,804, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 21, 2017, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(i), for stealing $46,271 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Richard D’Antuono, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCM) Local 40 (located in Cranston, R.I.), was charged in a three-count criminal information with embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)), theft from an employee benefit fund (18 U.S.C. 664), and aggravated identity theft (18 U.S.C. 1028A).  The total amount of embezzled funds is between $250,000 and $550,000.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 21, 2017, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Keith Franzese, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 275 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft of at least $100,000, two counts of theft of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000; six counts of theft of at least $1,000 but less than $10,000; five counts of theft of more than $500; and one count of embezzlement/fraudulent misappropriation by a fiduciary for stealing $104,834 from the union, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Sections 7-104(g)(1)(iii), 7-104(g)(1)(ii), 7-104(g)(1)(i), 7-104, and 7-113, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 15, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Henry Clay Green, Sr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees - Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees (UNITE HERE) Local 26 (located in Medford, Mass.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $171,455 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Brenda Schaefer, former Treasurer of National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) Local 39 (located in Chesterfield, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $11,570 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On July 10, 2017, Schaefer pled guilty to one count of willful failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On November 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Tamika Bullock, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 684 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $24,600 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $307,563, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Roderick Bennett, former Chief of Staff for the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA), located in Washington, D.C., was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzling $141,335 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Patrick Remigio, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2859 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.  Remigio was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $95,000 and a special assessment of $100.  On October 19, 2016, Remigio pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office, Department of Homeland Security's Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On November 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Columbia Division, Gordon Cairns, former President of United Steelworkers Local 1089 (located in Harrisburg, N.C.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $63,999, one count of failure to maintain records, one count of making false statements, and one count of destruction of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 439(a), 439(b), and 439(c), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 3, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, Danny Woodcock, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 83770 (located in Columbus, Miss.), was indicted on 48 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $297,469, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 1, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Ronald Coldren, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 207 (located in Findlay, Ohio), was indicted for one count of embezzlement in the amount of $30,639.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Stephen A. Royer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 243 (located in East Prospect, Pa.), was sentenced to one year and one day of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release.  Royer was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $130,869 and a special assessment of $100.  On June 19, 2017, Royer pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 31, 2017, in Rush County Circuit Court, Rushville, Indiana, David Maddy, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2339 (located in Rushville, Ind.), pled guilty to Theft, a Class D Felony, in violation of I.C. 35-43-4-2(a), for embezzling union funds in the amount of $37,197.  Maddy was then sentenced to 30 months of imprisonment (suspended) and 30 months of probation, and he was ordered to pay a $500 fine (suspended) and $950 in probation fees and court costs.  Maddy was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $12,197 owed after Local 2339’s successful claim for the full $25,000 amount of the union’s bond.  He paid the ordered amount following the sentencing.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 31, 2017, after a seven-day trial in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Paul Moe Sr., a general foreman and member of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1804-1 (located in North Bergen, N.J.), was found guilty by a jury of one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 13 substantive counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, stemming from his no-show job at the Port of Elizabeth terminal in New Jersey, with an annual salary of $500,000.   The guilty verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.

On October 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division, Fenna F. Saylors, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 378 (located in Marion, Ind.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $6,050 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  Saylors paid $10,596 in restitution prior to sentencing.  On March 29, 2017, Saylors pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $16,647, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Carl DeRenzis, former Treasurer of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 1955 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $53,281, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Andrew J. Thibodeau, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 1433 (located in Kensington, Conn.), was sentenced to three months of incarceration followed by one year of supervised release with community service.  Thibodeau was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,179 and a special assessment of $100.  He previously paid $3,200 in restitution.  On April 5, 2017, Thibodeau pled guilty to one count of embezzlement for an amount exceeding $70,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 24, 2017, in United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Norman Baker, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 220 (located in Axtell, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,310 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 24, 2017, in the Hamilton County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Elizabeth Merrill, former Treasurer of Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 251 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was charged in a two-count indictment for forgery and theft of $1,051 in union funds, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.31 and 2913.02, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation with the first five months to be served on home detention with electronic monitoring.  Sager was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,189.   On June 30, 2017, Sager pled guilty to obstruction of justice (18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2)), false statements to law enforcement (18 U.S.C. 1001), and filing false tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the IRS.

On October 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Wendy Buch, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer for the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge T-574 (located in East St. Louis, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $11,957 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Jason Richard, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 12-990 (located in Wallula, Wash.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling over $40,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On October 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota Northern Division, Salvatore Zagra, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1959 (located in Watertown, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641.  He was then sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay total restitution of $24,152, a $2,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On October 10, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Carl DeRenzis, former Treasurer of International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1955 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $53,281, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 10, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Thomas M. Miller, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 815 (located in Joliet, Ill.), was sentenced to two years of supervised probation the first three months of which will be served in home confinement.  Miller was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $21,070, a fine of $2,000, and a special assessment of $100.  On May 19, 2017, Miller pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $10,686, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 9, 2017, in the Ramsey County (Minnesota) District Court, Latasha Wilson, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1969 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was charged with one count of theft by swindle of more than $35,000, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(a)(4).  The complaint alleges that Wilson stole union funds in the amount of $58,150 between January 2013 and December 2015.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On October 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Maria Nunez, former office secretary for International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 1484 (located in Wilmington, Calif.), was charged in a six-count indictment for embezzling $11,946 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Additionally, Nunez was indicted on one count of willfully making a false entry in a record required to be kept, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On October 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Matt Smith, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transport Workers Local 576 (located in Hurst, Tex.), pled guilty to the one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 4, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Gregory Normand, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 324-TD (located in Marysville, Wash.), was indicted for one count of embezzling over $443,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Additionally, Normand was indicted for one count of making false statements to a government agency in a filed report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and one count of making false statements to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On October 4, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Matt Smith, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transport Workers Local 576 (located in Hurst, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment of embezzling $399,499 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 3, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Glenn Robert Smith, former comptroller for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (MRCC), located in Warren, Mich., pled guilty to one count of embezzling $499,087 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Norman Baker, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass, Molders, and Plastics (GMP) Local 220 (located in Axtell, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $8,310 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $193,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2017.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 25, 2017, in the Franklin County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Michael Mathis, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 34 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of theft in the amount of $5,784.  He was immediately sentenced to 60 days of incarceration (suspended) and one year of probation.  He was also ordered to pay $5,784 in restitution.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, John T. Coli, Sr., former Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727 (located in Park Ridge, Ill.), was indicted for knowingly attempting to obstruct, delay and affect commerce by extortion, that is obtaining of property of quarterly cash payments of $25,000 from an employer (18 U.S.C. 1951(a)); willfully requesting, demanding, receiving and accepting a thing of value and a sum of money from an employer, namely, payments totaling approximately $325,000 on several occasions between 2014 and 2017 (29 U.S.C. 186(b)(1) & 186(d)(2)); knowingly and willfully making materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statements and representations of matter in his U.S. Department of Labor – OLMS Form LM-30, for fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016 when he failed to disclose approximately $100,000 in employer payments received during each fiscal year (18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2)); and willfully making and subscribing, and causing to be made and subscribed, false U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns, for calendar years 2014, 2015 and 2016, in which reported income was substantially lower than actual income received (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)).  Coli was previously indicted on July 12, 2017.  The superseding indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.

On September 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Bobby Buford, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), was sentenced to 21 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution of $129,723 and a $100 special assessment.  On November 10, 2016, Buford pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for diverting over $129,723 in unions funds for personal use.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On September 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Raymond C. Ventrone, former business manager of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.) pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $1,499,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of tax evasion in the approximate amount of $265,343, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On September 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Marianne Rodacy, former Financial-Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 10-53-G (located in Charleroi, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $13,109 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 7, 2017, in the Jefferson County, New York District Court, Ronald G. Watson, former Treasurer of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 105F (located in Fort Drum, N.Y.), pled guilty to criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree.  He was then sentenced to one year of conditional discharge and was ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution within 10 days.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Michael Evans and William Uggiano, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1699 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), both pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349.  The guilty pleas follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Ryan Jones, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Lodge S-6 (located in Bath, Maine), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $280,865 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On August 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Monique Tyson, former secretary for Painters District Council 3 (located in Raytown, Mo.), was sentenced to one year of probation.  Tyson had previously paid restitution in the amount of $7,500.  On March 21, 2017, Tyson pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.

On August 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Alicia Rooney, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 459 (located in Missoula, Mont.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $112,153 from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $59,650 from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Pascale Mcatee, former President of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 161 (located in Everett, Wash.), was sentenced to five months in federal prison followed by three years of federal probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $73,583 and a special assessment of $100.  On April 7, 2017, Mcatee pled guilty to a single count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On August 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Virdell King, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.) and a former Assistant Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  King’s sentencing is scheduled for January 3, 2018.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 28, 2017, in the Superior Court for the County of Pierce in the State of Washington, Casey Cortese, former President of Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Local Chapter 108 (located in Tacoma, Wash.), was sentenced to 240 hours of community service and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $27,514.  On May 30, 2017, Cortese pled guilty to a single count of Theft in the 1st Degree, in violation of Washington State Criminal Code 9A.56.020 (1)(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On August 23, 2017, 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 sentenced to 10 months of home confinement and five years of probation, and she was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $71,430 and a $100 assessment. On November 30, 2016, Lamorie pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of Treasury’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Edward Padilla, former Secretary-Treasurer/Business Manager of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 220 (located in Bakersfield, Calif.), was sentenced to 21 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.  Padilla was also ordered to pay $168,780 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 27, 2017, Padilla pled guilty to embezzling $168,780 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On August 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Virdell King, a former senior official in the Chrysler Department of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.) and a former Assistant Director of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), was charged in an information with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, stemming from her receipt of over $40,000 in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred or were received between 2012 and 2015, included purchases of clothing, jewelry, luggage and other personal items, as well as golf equipment, luggage, concert tickets, theme park tickets, and other items for the personal benefit of other UAW officials.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card accounts of the NTC, which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of Chrysler workers.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, John Hamilton, former business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1951.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 17, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh Municipal Court, Russell Gloeckl, former maintenance employee for Boilermakers Local 154 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of theft by unlawful taking and one count of receiving stolen property, in violation of 18 Pennsylvania Criminal Code 3921(a) and 3925(a), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Eastern Division, Douglas Morin, former Treasurer of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9520 (located in Fargo, N.D.), pled guilty to a one-count information for falsification of financial records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On August 16, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Eastern Division, Douglas Morin, former Treasurer of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9520 (located in Fargo, N.D.), was charged in a one-count information with falsification of financial records required to be kept by labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On August 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jerome Durden, former Financial Analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), former Controller of the United Auto Workers (UAW) -Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), and former Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Leave the Light On Foundation (LTLOF), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by impairing, impeding, and obstructing the Internal Revenue Service by preparing and filing tax returns for the UAW-Chrysler NTC and the LTLOF between 2009 and 2015 that falsely concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to former UAW Vice President General Holiefield (now deceased), former FCA Vice President Alphons Iacobelli, and others, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  Durden also pled guilty to one count of failure to file an income tax return for 2013, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7203.  His sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2017.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On August 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for  the District of Maine, Ryan Jones, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge S6 (located in Bath, Maine), was indicted on one count of embezzling $280,865 in union funds, in  violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On August 2, 2017, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Sophia Love, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Article, Section 7-104.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On July 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Michael Evans and William Uggiano, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1699 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), were both charged in a one-count information for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Curtis Lang, former President of the United Dairy Workers of LeMars (located in LeMars, Iowa), was sentenced to one year of confinement, six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $95,223 and a $100 special assessment.  On May 8, 2017, Lang pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On July 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Angela Parrish-Wilson, former office manager of Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Workers Union (RWDSU) Joint Council 932 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office.

On July 26, 2017, in the District Court of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, William Bryles, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2406 (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was charged and pled no contest to four counts of felony embezzlement, in violation of Oklahoma Penal Code, Title 21, Chapter 59, 1451.  He then signed a three-year deferred sentence order and was ordered to pay $11,174 in restitution and court costs.  The charge, plea, and deferred sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Guy Gokey, former Financial Secretary of Glass Molders and Plastics (GMP) Local 59 (located in Toledo, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $14,074, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), was charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) and two counts of violating the LMRA for paying and delivering over $1.2 million in prohibited payments and things of value to the late General Holiefield, former Vice President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.), to Holiefield’s wife, Monica Morgan, and to other UAW officials, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 186(a)(2), (d)(1), respectively.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred between 2009 and 2014, included designer clothing, jewelry, furniture, and paying off the $262,219 mortgage on Holiefield and Morgan’s residence.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card accounts of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of workers.  Iacobelli was also charged with an additional count of conspiracy and four counts of failing to report on his 2012-2015 individual tax returns approximately $2.1 million in NTC funds that he diverted for his own personal benefit, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), respectively.  Iacobelli was charged with diverting those funds to pay for a Ferrari 458 Spider automobile costing more than $350,000, leasing a private jet, two limited edition Mont Blanc pens costing $37,500 each, a pool and hundreds of thousands of dollars in improvements to his residence, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal credit card expenses, among other purchases.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Monica Morgan, wife of the late General Holiefield, a former Vice President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) International Union (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Labor Management Relations Act stemming from her and Holiefield’s receipt of over $1.2 million in prohibited payments and things of value from Alphons Iacobelli, former Vice President of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), and others acting in the interest of FCA, and from the use of three companies controlled by Morgan to conceal the prohibited payments and things of value, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The prohibited payments and things of value, which occurred between 2009 and 2014, included designer clothing, jewelry, furniture, and paying off the $262,219 mortgage on Holiefield and Morgan’s residence.  The payments were made using the bank account and credit card accounts of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center, which was established to provide for the education, training, and retraining of workers.  Morgan was also charged with three counts of failing to report the income she received through those companies on her 2011-2013 individual tax returns and with one count of failing to file an income tax return for 2014, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1) and 7203, respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 24, 2017, in the LaPorte County Indiana Circuit Court, Thomas Rodgers, former General Chairman of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) General Committee of Adjustment (GCA) 247 (located in LaPorte, Ind.), was charged in an information with a level 6 felony theft of $3,672, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Christopher Hayes, former Rhode Island Police Department Sergeant and former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was sentenced to six months of imprisonment followed by six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, 300 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $71,523 in restitution.  On May 1, 2017, Hayes pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  Hayes admitted to the court that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account, converting approximately $71,523 in union funds for his own personal use.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On July 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Herbert White, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 4-8936 (previously located in Wilmington, Del.), pled guilty to a misdemeanor charging him with making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  On the same day, White was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a restitution balance of $23,287 and a $25 special assessment.  White had already paid $2,247 in restitution.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On July 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Paul Moe, a member of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1804-1 (located in North Bergen, N.J.) and general foreman for a Port Elizabeth terminal operator, was indicted on one count of wire fraud conspiracy and 13 counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1349, and 2, for fraudulently submitting timesheets that resulted in paying him nearly $500,000 annually while the investigation disclosed that he either never showed up at the job site or was present for as little as eight hours per week.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.

On July 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Clementine T. Ray , former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2109 (located in Temple, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $4,067 in restitution.  On May 31, 2017, Ray pled guilty to false writings, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1018.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Ashley Cline, former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 155 (located in Idaho Falls, Idaho), was sentenced to four years of federal probation and she was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,776 and a $1,000 fine.  On January 25, 2017, Cline pled guilty to a single count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On July 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison and three years of supervised probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $69,193.  On January 31, 2017, Lackey pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.

On July 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $18,857 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On 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.

On July 10, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Brenda Schaefer, former Treasurer of National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) Local 39 (located in Chesterfield, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of willful failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jay C. Roy, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Local 1245 (located in Locust Grove, Ga.), was sentenced to two months of imprisonment and two years of probation, and he was ordered to pay $83,417 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 24, 2017, Roy pled 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 Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On July 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Lonzell Moore, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1730 (located in Des Plaines, Ill.), was charged in a criminal complaint with embezzling $18,857 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 6, 2017, in Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Fonda White, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2390 (located in Maugansville, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft of property with a value of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, one count of embezzlement, and two counts of theft of property with a value of more than $1,000 but less than $10,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104(g)(1)(ii), 7-113, and 7-104(g)(1)(i), respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Prince George’s County Police Department.

On July 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was charged in a superseding information with one count of embezzling over $193,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), pled guilty to obstruction of justice, making false statements, and falsification of tax returns, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2), 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(2), and 26 U.S.C. 7206 (1), respectively.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service

On June 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Lon Sullivan, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 644 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 200 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay the remaining balance of restitution in the amount $59,809. Sullivan previously paid $37,000 in restitution. On February 28, 2017, Sullivan pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The subject union is comprised of Department of Labor employees. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kimberly Steinhoff, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 87 (located in Munising, Mich.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of $12,751, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On June 22, 2017, in the Nassau District Court in Hempstead New York, Jeanette Willoughby, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2009 (located in Garden City, N.Y.), was charged with petit larceny, in violation of N.Y. Penal Law 155.25, for diverting $2,487 in union funds for personal use.  She then pled guilty to the charge and was sentenced to a one year conditional discharge.  She was also ordered to pay $2,487 in restitution.  The charge, guilty plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On June 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Tamika Bullock, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 684 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $24,600 from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On June 20, 2017, in the Cuyahoga County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Arthur W. Boedecker, former Vice President of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 270 (located in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of aggravated theft from a union in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02 A(3).  On the same date, Boedecker was sentenced to a jail term of three days and fined $500.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Scott Alexander and Nancy Alexander, former President and former office administrator, respectively, for Teamsters Local 50 (located in Belleville, Ill.), were indicted for embezzlement and wire fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Estes Evans, former Treasurer of International Association of EMTs and Paramedics Local R7-33 (located in Milwaukee, Wisc.), was charged with one count of embezzlement of $44,446 and one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee Office.

On June 19, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Stephen A. Royer, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Local Lodge 243 (located in East Prospect, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The loss amount will be determined at a later date.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On June 16, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Kathleen Smith, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 850 and the Oklahoma State Council of Machinists (located in Oklahoma City and Enid, Okla., respectively), was sentenced to four years of probation and 104 hours of community service, and she was ordered to pay $20,770 in restitution. On January 12, 2017, Smith pled guilty to embezzling union funds from both labor organizations, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 16, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Michael R. Bennett, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2317 (located in Lafayette, Ind.), was sentenced to 15 months of incarceration, one year of supervised release, and was also ordered to pay restitution of $18,047 and a $100 special assessment.  Bennett previously paid $84,807 in restitution.  On November 21, 2016, Bennett pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for diverting over $100,000 in unions funds for personal use.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On June 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jerome Durden, former Financial Analyst in the Corporate Accounting Department of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA), former Controller of the UAW-Chrysler National Training Center (NTC), and former Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Leave the Light On Foundation (LTLOF), was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States by impairing, impeding, and obstructing the Internal Revenue Service by preparing and filing tax returns for the UAW-Chrysler NTC and the LTLOF between 2009 and 2015 that falsely concealed millions of dollars in prohibited payments directed to former UAW Vice President General Holiefield (now deceased), former FCA Vice President Alphons Iacobelli, and others, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  Durden was also charged with one count of failure to file an income tax return for 2013, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7203.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On June 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Ann Reddig, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 918 (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling over $193,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of Making a Forged Security, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Francis Mazzella, employer for members of Metal Polishers/Refinishers, Painters, Production and Novelty Workers, Sign Pictorial and Display, Automotive Equipment Painters Workers Union Local 8A-28A (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay more than $400,000 in restitution. On February 27, 2012, Mazzella pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Mail Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 371. Mazzella owned and controlled City-Wide, a New York City contracting firm. City-Wide entered into an agreement with Local 8A-28A to perform construction work on their union hall. The investigation disclosed that Three Generations, another union contractor owned by Robert Fabrizio, actually performed the union hall renovation, rather than City-Wide. Mazzella submitted false invoices to the Local 8A-28A Welfare Fund claiming that City-Wide had performed the work resulting in being paid significantly inflated rates for work not completed by the company. Mazzella was also responsible for administering the payroll of Three Generations and would routinely pay employees all or a portion of their salaries in cash and did not disclose these payments to the IRS. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the IRS-CID, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

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 Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 2, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Brenda Schaefer, former Treasurer of National Rural Letter Carriers Association (NRLCA) Local 39 (located in Chesterfield, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with willful failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On May 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Clementine T. Ray , former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2109 (located in Temple, Tex.), pled guilty to a superseding information of false writings, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1018.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocky Defilippo, Amtrak Police Officer and member of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 (located in Metuchen, N.J.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of making false statements for submitting a fraudulent letter to Amtrak claiming prior police service to obtain back pay and an increased salary level totaling more than $45,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1001, respectively. The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Amtrak Police Department, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

On May 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, John A. Matassa, Jr., Secretary Treasurer of Independent Union of Amalgamated Workers Local 711 (located in Mount Prospect, Ill.), was charged in an indictment with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of theft of approximately $3,291 in government funds in the form of Old-Age Insurance Benefits, four counts of embezzling $2,959 in union funds, and two counts of making false entries in union records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 641, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 29 U.S. C. 439(c), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Chicago Social Security Administration’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 22, 2017, in Las Animas County Colorado District Court, Leo Ulibarri, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) Local Lodge 204 (located in Pueblo, Colo.), was charged in a one-count information with Theft, in violation of C.R.S. 18-4-401(1)(5). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 19, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Carmen Martinez, former Treasurer of Bet Tzedek Legal Service Union Local 946E (located in Los Angeles, California), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $19,070 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On January 26, 2017, Martinez pled 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 Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 19, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Thomas M. Miller, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 815 (located in Joliet, Ill.), pled guilty to a one-count criminal information for embezzling $10,686 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On May 12, 2017, in the Suffolk County, 10th Judicial Circuit Court, David Diaz, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 387 (located in Northport, N.Y.), was sentenced to 280 hours of community service in lieu of 60 days in jail and three years of probation.  Diaz was also ordered to pay $17,149 in restitution.  On March 16, 2017, Diaz pled guilty to Petit Larceny, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.25.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On May 10, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jeni May Hughes, former office manager for Plumbers Local 155 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), pled guilty to a one-count criminal information for embezzling $428,874 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling approximately $307,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Michelle Dancy, former Residuals Estates and Trust Department Manager of the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), located in Los Angeles, Calif., was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $183,168 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 14, 2016, Dancy pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 8, 2017, in the United States Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Curtis Lang, former President of the United Dairy Workers of LeMars (located in LeMars, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On March 22, 2017, Lang was indicted for one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $45,040.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 2, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, Thomas M. Miller, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 815 (located in Joliet, Ill.), was charged in an information with embezzling approximately $10,686 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On May 1, 2017, in the United States District Court of Rhode Island, Christopher Hayes, former Rhode Island Police Department Sergeant and former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  Hayes admitted to the court that between August 2009 and December 2014, he used an FOP debit card to pay for his own personal expenses; wrote checks payable to himself from the FOP bank account; withdrew cash from the FOP bank account for personal use; and made online payments to his personal credit card from the FOP bank account, converting approximately $71,523 in union funds for his own personal use.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On April 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Raymond C. Ventrone, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 154 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was charged in a six-count information for one count of embezzling approximately $1,499,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and five counts of income tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On April 10, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Jeni  May Hughes, former office manager for Plumbers Local 155 (located in Little Rock, Ark.), was charged in a one-count criminal information for embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for Western District of Washington, Pascale McAtee, former President of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 161-Transportation Division (TD), located in Everett, Wash., pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $82,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for July 10, 2017.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 5, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Andrew Thibodeau, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local Lodge 1433 (located in Kensington, Conn.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzling union funds exceeding $70,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Thibodeau then pled guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 4, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), was indicted on three counts of filing false income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1).  On September 14, 2016, Sager previously was charged with nine counts of embezzlement, 18 counts of mail fraud, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of making false statement to law enforcement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2), and 18 U.S.C. 1001 respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On March 29, 2017, in the United States District Court Northern District of Indiana, Fenna F. Saylors, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 378 (located in Marion, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Saylors embezzled approximately $16,647.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Scot McNamara, former Financial Secretary of Heat & Frost Insulators Local 34 (located St. Paul, Minn.), was sentenced to four months of house arrest and two years of probation.  McNamara was also ordered to pay $8,871 in restitution, a $3,000 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $4,000 in reimbursement to the U.S. Treasury Department for the cost of his legal representation.  On December 9, 2016, McNamara pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On March 29, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Abingdon Division, William Dixon, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 2014 (located in Lebanon, Va.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to undergo counseling and drug treatment.  Dixon was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $3,408.  Dixon previously paid $930.  On December 12, 2016, Dixon pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $4,338 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On March 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Herbert White, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 4-8936 (located in Wilmington, Del.), was charged in an information with making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On March 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMW) Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), was sentenced to eight months of incarceration, and one year of supervised release (which includes two months of home confinement).  He was also ordered to pay $30,641 in restitution and a $25 fine.  On January 26, 2017, Schofield pled guilty to one count of making a false entry with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-4 report for fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, in that it helped conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  In the plea, for the purpose of determining relevant conduct, Schofield admitted to making unauthorized loans of union funds to himself in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503(a).  In the plea, for the purpose of computing his sentence, Schofield stipulated to having committed wire fraud to defraud his employer of $30,641, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Edward Padilla, former Secretary-Treasurer/Business Manager of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 220 (located in Bakersfield, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling $168,780, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 27, 2017, in the Superior Court of Washington for Pierce County, Casey Cortese, former President for the Association of Civilian Technicians (ACT) Chapter 108 (located in Pierce County, Wash.), was indicted on a single count of theft in the 1st degree, in violation of RCW 9A.56.020(1)(c) and RCW 9A.56.030(1)(a).  Cortese is charged with converting over $27,000 in Chapter 108 funds to his own personal use.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jay C. Roy, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1245-Transportation Division (TD), located in Atlanta, Ga., pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $2,125, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and agreed to pay $101,019 in restitution.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 23, 2017, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New Yorfk, Johnnie Miranti, former Secretary-Treasurer of Toy and Novelty Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to eight months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $138,500 in forfeiture and a $5,000 fine.  At the sentencing, the court also denied Miranti’s petition requesting a reduction from 29 U.S.C. 504 and 1111 (which prohibits persons convicted of certain crimes from holding union and/or employee benefit fund office or employment, or serving in other prohibited capacities, for a period of 13 years following conviction or the end of imprisonment).  On August 8, 2016, Miranti pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment and 18 months of supervised release.  Holmes was also ordered pay restitution in the amount of $101,987 and a $100 assessment.  On March 15, 2016, Holmes pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,823, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Curtis Dean Lang, former President for the United Dairy Workers of LeMars (located in LeMars, Iowa), was indicted on one count of embezzling $45,040, in union funds in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On March 21, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Monique Tyson, former office secretary for Painters District Council 3 (located in Raytown, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Tyson falsified entries in the union’s cash receipts journal to hide her embezzlement of between $7,500 and $20,864.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Office.

On March 20, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, Christopher Hayes, former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 8 (located in Newport, R.I.), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud in the amount of $71,523, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Rhode Island State Police.

On March 16, 2017, in the Suffolk County First District Court of New York, David Diaz, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 387 (located in Northport, N.Y.), pled guilty to Petit Larceny, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.25.  His sentencing is set for May 11, 2017.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On March 13, 2017, in the United States District Court Northern District of Indiana, Fenna F. Saylors, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 378 (located in Marion, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,647, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 9, 2017, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania denied James Francis Allgeier’s petition to exempt him from the statutory disability, pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 504(a), to hold the elected position of executive board member in International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 2 (located in Aliquippa, Pa.).  Allgeier’s disqualification under section 504 is a result of his August 5, 2008 conviction, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, for aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, in violation of 18 Pa. C.S. 2702(a)(1).  The denial of the petition follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On March 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Jay C. Roy, former Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Union (SMART) Local 1245-Transportation Division (TD), located in Atlanta, Ga., was charged in a one-count information for embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $2,125.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Danae Romero, former Vice President of United Industrial & Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., pled guilty to one count of theft or embezzlement in connection with health care, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On March 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release.  Scott was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $68,771.  On November 17, 2016, Scott pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On March 3, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Edward Padilla, former Secretary-Treasurer/Business Manager of Laborers Local 220 (located in Bakersfield, Calif.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling $168,780, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On March 1, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Robert Fabrizio, the owner of Three Generations, a union contractor and an employer trustee of the Painters Local 8A-28A welfare fund, was sentenced to eight months in jail and one year of supervised release.  He was also ordered to make full restitution of $743,032.  Fabrizio was convicted of conspiring to facilitate a kickback scheme whereby the third party administrator (TPA) of the welfare fund paid him $743,032 over a seven-year period, through a shell company he controlled, to ensure the TPA maintained his contract with the fund.  Fabrizio shared these proceeds with co-conspirator Hector Lopez, former President of Painters Local 8A-28A (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), who was sentenced to four years of incarceration following his conviction in November 2014.  In November 2011, Fabrizio pled guilty to one count of Kickbacks to Influence Operations of Employee Benefit Plan and two counts of Money Laundering Conspiracy.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the IRS-CID.

On March 1, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Stephen Royer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 243 (located in East Prospect, Pa.), was charged in a five-count indictment, which included one count of embezzling $130,870 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On February 28, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Lon Sullivan, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 644 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was charged in an information with one count of wire fraud in the amount of $8,647, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  He then pled guilty to the charge.  Sullivan agreed to pay restitution in the amount of $96,809.  The subject union was comprised of DOL employees.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 27, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Gary Cooper, a contractor associated with Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 68 months in prison, 36 months of probation, and 120 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay $1,632,000 in restitution.  On November 22, 2016, Cooper was convicted by a jury of one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to make unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186 and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; and two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957, for stealing $1.7 million from the union.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

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 Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 23, 2017, in the Dakota County (Minnesota) District Court, William Winecke, former Treasurer of the Soo Line Locomotive and Car Foremen’s Association (located in Apple Valley, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of more than $35,000, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(4).  On the same date, Winecke was sentenced to 30 days of confinement and four years of probation, and he was also ordered to pay $12,536 in restitution and $504 in fees.  Winecke previously made restitution in the amount of $29,000.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On February 22, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), was sentenced to 16 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to make full restitution of $42,700.  On October 11, 2016, Contreras pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $42,700.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria, Ohio Police Department.

On February 17, 2017, in the Ashtabula, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Adele Dewey, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 811 (located in Andover, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of theft in the amount of $4,224, in violation of O.R.C. 2913.02, and one count of forgery, in violation of O.R.C. 2913.31.  She was immediately sentenced to 30 days of incarceration (suspended) and one year of supervised release.  Dewey was ordered to pay a $250 fine for each charge and to perform 40 hours of community service.  Dewey already paid full restitution.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 16, 2017,in Waupaca County, Wisconsin Circuit Court, Teresa Adkins, former business manager of Heat & Frost Insulators Local 127 (located in Clintonville, Wis.), was charged in 10-count criminal complaint with one count of felony theft of more than $10,000 and nine counts of felony forgery, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b) and 943.38(1)(a), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On February 15, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Devon Madray, former President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 119 (located in Roseville, Mich.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was also ordered to pay $20,097 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On October 24, 2016, Madray pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 14, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Clementine T. Ray , former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2109 (located in Temple, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 8, 2017, in the Franklin County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Michael Mathis, former Secretary-Treasurer of Locomotive Engineers Division 34 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged with one count of theft in the amount of $5,784, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On February 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Christopher Kwegan, a contractor associated with Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to three years in prison, three years of probation, and 120 hours of community service.  He was also ordered to pay $1,632,000 in restitution.  On November 1, 2016, Kwegan pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 371; and 39 counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 7, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Anthony Frederick, former business manager for Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to four years in prison, three years of probation, and 120 hours of community service.  Frederick was also ordered to pay $1,632,000 in restitution.  On October 31, 2016, Frederick pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle money from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to receive unlawful labor payments in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186 and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 371; and one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 7, 2017, in the United States District Court District of Wyoming, Harold Giberson, former President of Utility Workers Local 127 (located in Casper, Wyo.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $158,953 and a $100 special assessment.  On December 2, 2016, Giberson pled guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $179,052, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On February 6, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Wanda Rosenboro-Correa, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2798 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $13,803.  On November 22, 2016, Rosenboro-Correa pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On February 2, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Robert Smith III, former Business Agent and Financial Secretary of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 970 (located in Norfolk, Va.), was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of probation.  Smith was also ordered to pay $1,072,669 in restitution.  On October 14, 2016, Smith pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for stealing $1,072,669 from the union by making cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account, paying his personal credit card bills, and using union funds to buy gas, food, clothing, shoes, toys, entertainment, and home improvement supplies.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.

On February 1, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas, County of Clarion, Mark Bell, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 2439 (located in Knox, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of probation.  He was also ordered to pay the cost of prosecution and the cost of supervision fee of $35 per month and to complete 50 hours of community service.  Bell previously paid $872 in restitution.  On January 4, 2017, Bell pled guilty to one count of forgery, in violation of 18 Pa. C.S. 4101(a)(1).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On January 31, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), pled guilty to five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and one count of embezzlement in the amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 30, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Keith Christopherson, former business manager for Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (HFIA) Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), was sentenced to four months of incarceration followed by two years of supervised release.  Christopherson was also ordered to pay $67,714 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On August 19, 2016, Christopherson pled 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 Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On January 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way (BMW) Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), entered into an amended plea, thereby dismissing the June 30, 2016 guilty plea.  In the amended plea, Schofield pled guilty to the same one-count charge of making a false entry with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-4 report for fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 in that it helped conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013.  In the amended plea, for the purpose of determining relevant conduct pursuant to Guideline 1B1.3,  Schofield admitted to making unauthorized loans of union funds to himself in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503(a).  In the amended plea, for the purpose of computing his sentence under Guideline 1B1.2, Schofield stipulated to having committed wire fraud to defraud his employer (Union Pacific) of $30,641, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  As a result of violating the terms of his pretrial release (stipulated wire fraud offense), Schofield was incarcerated pending his March 21, 2017 scheduled sentencing date.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On January 26, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Carmen Martinez, former Treasurer of Bet Tzedek Legal Service Union Local 946E (located in Los Angeles, Calif.) pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,070, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Angela Parrish-Wilson, former office manager of the Mid-South Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, District Council 932 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was charged with one count of embezzling $41,450 in union funds from District Council 932 as well as Locals 201 and 555, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 20 counts of defrauding a FDIC insured financial institution of over $40,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C 1344(2).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office of the Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 25, 2017, in the Suffolk County First District Court of New York, David Diaz, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 387 (located in Northport, N.Y.), was charged in a felony complaint with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, for a larceny exceeding $3,000, in violation of New York State Penal Law 155.35.  Diaz was then arrested and surrendered to the Suffolk County Attorney General's Office.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On January 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Ashley Cline, former office manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 155 (located in Idaho Falls, Idaho), was indicted and pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $37,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2017.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco - Seattle District Office.

On January 25, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, John Kauffman, Jr., former President of National Federation of Government Employees (NFFE) Lodge 1442 (located at Chambersburg, Pa.), was sentenced to one month of imprisonment followed by seven months of home confinement.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $22,062.  On September 26, 2016, Kauffman pled guilty to mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On January 24, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Louis Smith, former President of Teamsters Local 810 (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year in prison followed by two years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $151,481 in forfeiture.  Smith had already paid $213,264 in restitution to the local's health and welfare fund.  On August 5, 2016, Smith pled guilty to conspiracy to solicit and receive kickbacks in an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 1954.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the NYPD, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.

On January 23, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Michelle Clifton, former office manager for Insulators Local 78 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was sentenced to three months of imprisonment, three months of home detention, and three years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay $23,014 in restitution.  On August 30, 2016, Clifton pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $23,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 19, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Monique Tyson, former office secretary for Painters District Council 3 (located in Raytown, Mo.), was charged in an information with one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Tyson falsified entries in the union’s cash receipts journal to hide her embezzlement of between $7,500 and $20,864.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Kansas City Resident Investigator Office.

On January 18, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Charles Nelson, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Council of Security Police (NCSP), formally located in Yakima, Wash., was sentenced to six months in a federal penitentiary and three years of federal probation.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $143,489 and a $100 fine.  On September 7, 2016, Nelson pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $140,000 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.

On January 17, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, John J. Romero, former Treasurer of United Industrial & Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit theft or embezzlement in connection with healthcare, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 669.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On January 12, 2017, in the 10th Judicial Circuit in Jefferson County, Alabama, John Clifton, former unit griever for Steelworkers Local 09-1013-S (located in Fairfield, Ala.), pled guilty to theft of property, in violation of 13A-008-005.  He was then sentenced to one year in the Jefferson County Jail (suspended) and placed on unsupervised probation for two years.  Clifton was also ordered to pay $8,000 in restitution.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 12, 2017, in the Western District of Oklahoma, Kathleen Smith, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Machinists Lodge 850 and the Oklahoma State Council of Machinists (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was charged and pled guilty to one count of embezzling $18,658 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 9, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Sergio Acosta, President/Employee of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2326 and Lawrence Ackerman, a health insurance broker, were each charged with one count of conspiring to defraud Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of $5.5 million and one count of conspiring to defraud the Local 2326 self-insured plan of $1 million, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1347 and 1349, respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Office of Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On January 5, 2017, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New York, Adrian Lindsay, former Vice President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation.  Lindsay was also ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On July 21, 2016, Lindsay pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for approximately $25,000 in combined expenditures, with former President Malkia King, that were not authorized by the union.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On January 4, 2017, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas, County of Clarion, Mark Bell, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 2439 (located in Knox, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of forgery, in violation of 18 Pa. C.S. 4101(a)(1).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On December 16, 2016, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Gregory Tyree, former President of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers of America (NASPSO), located in Washington, D.C., was charged in an information with one count of theft in the second degree, in violation of 22 D.C. Code Sections 3211 and 3212(b), for stealing $1,219 from the union.  Tyree then pled guilty and was sentenced on this date to 90 days incarceration (all suspended) and one year of probation.  Tyree was also ordered not to hold union office for five years and to pay the remaining restitution of $389.  The charge, guilty plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, David Fleury, former President of Bricklayers Local 6 (located in Rockford, Ill.), was sentenced to two years of incarceration and three years of supervised release, and he was also ordered to pay $318,036 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On August, 9, 2016, Fleury pled guilty to embezzling over $250,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On December 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,344 and a $100 special assessment.  On October 5, 2016, Cruise pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On December 14, 2016, in the Jefferson County New York District Court, Ronald G. Watson, former Treasurer of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local 105F (located on United States Army Base Fort Drum, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of grand larceny in the third degree, nine counts of forgery in the second degree, and nine counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree.  On April 21, 2017, the indictment was unsealed.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On December 14, 2016, in the United States Court for the Southern District of New York, Malkia King, former President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year of probation, as well as ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and to pay a $25 special assessment.  King previously paid full restitution of $13,000.  On July 15, 2016, King pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439 (c), showing use of association funds for approximately $25,000 in combined expenditures, with former Vice President Adrian Lindsay, that were not authorized by the union.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On December 14, 2016, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Betty Robinson, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), pled guilty to one count of theft between $10,000 and $100,000 for stealing $30,150 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 13, 2016, in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Daniel Ross, former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Workers/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 6721 (located in Oakland, Calif.), was charged in a one-count criminal complaint for Grand Theft of Personal Property of a value exceeding $950, a felony violation of Section 487(a) of the Penal Code of California, for the theft of union funds in the amount of $4,607.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On December 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Cisek, former Sergeant-at-Arms of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 56 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Cisek previously paid restitution in the amount of $9,200.  On August 25, 2016, Cisek pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On December 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Abingdon Division, William Dixon, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 2014 (located in Lebanon, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $4,338 from the union.  He then pled guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On December 9, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Scot McNamara, former Business Agent and Financial Secretary for Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union finds in the amount of $500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea agreement outlines that the total amount embezzled from Local 34 by McNamara was $8,871.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On December 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Pascale McAtee, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 161 (located in Lynnwood, Wash.), was indicted for one count of embezzling over $80,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Additionally, McAtee was indicted for three counts of making false statements to a government agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On December 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota Northern Division, Salvatore Zagra, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1959 (located in Watertown, S.D.), was charged in a two-count indictment with one count of selling, conveying and disposing of property from the Department of Energy without authority, namely tools which had a value exceeding $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641.  In count two, he was charged for knowingly executing and attempting to execute a scheme and artifice to defraud a financial institution, and to obtain money, funds, credits, assets, securities, and other property owned by and under the custody and control of, the aforementioned financial institution, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  Specifically, Zagra knowingly and fraudulently made and cashed checks on an account belonging to Local 1959 that were payable to himself, forged the signature of the union’s president on these checks, and made and cashed pre-signed checks payable to himself for unauthorized expenses.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General, General Services Administration’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On December 6, 2016, in the United States Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Magelitz, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 415 (located in Vienna, Ill.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and two years of probation, as well as ordered to complete 100 hours community service and pay restitution in the amount of $21,849.  On August 17, 2016, Magelitz pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On 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 Treasury’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, Michael Lackey, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local  3901 (located in Oxford, Ala.), was indicted on five counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344; one count of embezzlement in a total amount of $69,193, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); and three counts of failure to maintain labor union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 29, 2016, in the United States District Court District of Wyoming, Harold Giberson, former President of Utility Workers Local 127 (located in Casper, Wyo.), waived an indictment.  He then was charged in an information and pled guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $179,052, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Assane Faye, the founder and former President of the United Security and Police Officers of America (USPOA), located in Toms River, N.J., was sentenced to three years of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $350,000 in restitution.  On May 10, 2016, a federal jury found Faye guilty of two counts of embezzling union funds and seven counts of mail fraud, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 1341, respectively.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, after a one week trial, a jury found Gary Cooper, a contractor associated with Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; and two counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.  The scheme for which Cooper was found guilty involved $1.73 million in checks written from Laborers Local 657 to STS Construction, a company co-owned by Cooper, for minimal work done on union buildings.  STS Construction then put a $225,000 down payment on a house for the Local 657 business manager, wrote the business manager a check for $8,000, and transferred $624,000 to a business that was co-owned by the business manager’s wife.  The guilty verdict is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Wanda Rosenboro-Correa, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2798 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States for stealing $13,803 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Michael R. Bennett, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2317 (located in Lafayette, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for diverting over $100,000 of unions funds for personal use.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On November 17, 2016, in the Rush County, Indiana Circuit/Superior Court, David P. Maddy, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2339 (located in Rushville, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information for felony theft of union funds in the amount of $37,197, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2(a).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 15, 2016, in United States District Court for the Central District of California, Carmen Martinez, former Treasurer of Bet Tzedek Legal Service Union Local 946E (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,070.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 10, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Bob Buford, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for fraudulently obtaining more than $128,000 in union funds for his personal benefit.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 30 days of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $55,600 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. Bell had previously paid $17,400 in restitution. On July 14, 2016,Bell pled guilty to embezzling $73,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Christopher Kwegan, a contractor associated with Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to accept unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186(b) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to commit wire and honest services fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 371; and 39 counts of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.  In pleading guilty, Kwegan admitted that $1.73 million in checks were written from Laborers Local 657 to STS Construction, a company co-owned by Kwegan, for minimal work done on union buildings.  STS Construction then put a $225,000 down payment on a house for the Local 657 business manager, wrote the business manager a check for $8,000, and transferred $624,000 to a business that was co-owned by the business manager’s wife.  The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

On November 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, William Galloway, former Treasurer of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 192T (located in Reidsville, N.C.) was sentenced to one year of probation and was also ordered to pay $897 in restitution a $25 special assessment.  Galloway had already paid $41,457.19 in restitution.  On September 27, 2016, Galloway pled guilty to a one count of making a false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On October 31, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Anthony Frederick, former business manager for Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to embezzle money from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to receive unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186 and 18 U.S.C. 371; one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 371; and one count of money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957.  Frederick directed more than $1.7 million in Local 657 funds to a contractor without the knowledge or authorization of the Local 657 executive board or international union.  The contractor then made payments to Frederick with the stolen funds including a $225,000 down payment on a home that Frederick purchased, construction of a garage on the property, and directed more than $600,000 to a corporation owned in part by Frederick’s wife.  The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Roy Murray, former President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 2014 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $31,111 and a special assessment of $25.  Murray was also ordered to serve 80 hours of community service.  On July 25, 2016, Murray pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 26, 2016, in the Nassau County District Court in Mineola, New York, Charles Burke, former Treasurer of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 365 (located in Valley Stream, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay the remaining $37,000 in restitution.  Burke had previously paid $74,000 in restitution.  On March 8, 2016, Burke pled guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the 1st degree, for embezzling $111,000 from UWUA Local 365.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On October 25, 2016, in the Campbell County, Kentucky Circuit Court, Laura Cloyd, former Financial Secretary of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 112 (located in Alexandria, Ky.), was sentenced to three years diversion and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $1,669 for a felony conviction and one year of probation for a misdemeanor conviction.  On September 28, 2016, Cloyd pled guilty to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition, a felony, and Theft by Unlawful Taking under $500, a misdemeanor.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Devon Madray, President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 119 (located in Roseville, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $20,097, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On October 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Patrick Remigio, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2859 (located in Tucson, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  In addition, Remigio agreed to pay $95,000 in restitution.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the FBI.

On October 18, 2016, in the Westchester County District Court, Frank Gluberman, former Secretary Treasurer of the Greenburgh Teachers Federation (located in Hartsdale, N.Y.), was sentenced to between one to three years in prison.  He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $822,281.  On August 13, 2014, Gluberman pled guilty to grand larceny in the second degree.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On October 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Robert Smith, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 970 (located in Norfolk, Va.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for stealing $1,072,668 from the union.  Smith withdrew more than $700,000 from the union in cash, paid his personal credit card bills with union funds, and used union funds to purchase gas, food, clothing, shoes, toys, entertainment, and home improvement supplies.  The guilty plea is the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the FBI, and Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation.  Humphrey was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,811 and a $100 special assessment.  On January 26, 2016, Humphrey pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On 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 Treasury’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Steve Hartman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians Chapter 83 (located in Frankfort, Ky.), was sentenced to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  On June 22, 2016, Hartman pled guilty to one count of forging a security of an organization in the amount of $2,173, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513.  Hartman previously paid restitution in the amount of $13,208.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $42,700 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Fostoria Police Department.

On October 6, 2016, in the Dubois Superior Court in Dubois County, Indiana, Carlton Woodcox, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2150 (located in Jasper, Ind.), was sentenced to 368 days in jail (360 days suspended and credit given for eight days previously served), 360 days of probation, and 80 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay full restitution of $30,859.  On September 7, 2016, Woodcox pled guilty to one count of theft in the amount of $30,859.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jeffrey Velfling, former Chief Steward of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 307 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Velfling previously paid restitution in the amount of $6,758.  On June 8, 2016,Velfling pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, John Crosby, former Assistant Steward of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 307 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Crosby previously paid restitution in the amount of $6,758.  On June 8, 2016,Crosby pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,344, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 4, 2016, in the Ashtabula County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Adele Dewey, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 811 (located in Andover, Ohio), was indicted on one count of theft in the amount of $4,224 and one count of forgery, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02 and 2913.31, respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 30, 2016, in the Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, Marie Esther LaFontant, former bookkeeper for Plumbers and Gasfitters UA Local 12 (located in Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to serve one year in the house of corrections and 10 years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $154,857.  On September 26, 2016, LaFontant pled guilty to three counts of larceny over $250 and falsifying corporate books, in violation of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 266, Section 30 and MGL Chapter 266, Section 67.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

On September 28, 2016, in the Campbell County, Kentucky Circuit Court, Laura Cloyd, former Financial Secretary of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 112 (located in Alexandria, Ky.), pled guilty to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition over $500, a felony, and Theft by Unlawful Taking under $500, a misdemeanor.  Sentencing is scheduled for October 25, 2016.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 27, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, William L. Galloway III, former Treasurer of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 192T (located in Reidsville, N.C.), pled guilty to one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, William L. Galloway III, former Treasurer of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) Local 192T (located in Reidsville, N.C.), was charged in an information with one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 26, 2016, in the Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, Marie Esther LaFontant, former bookkeeper for Plumber and Gasfitters UA Local 12 (located in Boston, Mass.), pled guilty to three counts of larceny over $250 totaling over $154,000 and one count of falsifying corporate books, in violation of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 266, Section 30 and MGL Chapter 266, Section 67.  The plea follows a joint investigation by OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

On September 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, John Kaufmann, Jr., former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1442 (located in Chambersburg, Pa.), was charged and pled guilty to a one count information for mail fraud, in violation of18 U.S.C. 1341, in relation to the misappropriation of union funds.  The amount of misappropriation will be determined at the sentencing hearing.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On September 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Robert Smith III, former Business Agent/Financial Secretary of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 970 (located in Norfolk, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for embezzling $1,072,668 from the union.  The criminal information charges that as part of the scheme to conceal the embezzlement, for the past 10 years, Smith never filed the requisite Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards Form LM-2 report.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, John McCain, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1016 (located in Poplar Bluff, Mo.), was sentenced to a two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and a $100 assessment.  Restitution of $30,948 was previously paid in full.  On June 22, 2016, McCain pled guilty one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 20, 2016, in the Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Jeanette Bowman, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 280 (located in Marion, Ohio), was sentenced to 120 days of electronic monitoring, five years of community control, and was ordered to pay full restitution of $16,347.  On August 18, 2016, Bowman pled guilty to theft in the amount of $16,347, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

On September 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Aaron Contreras, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84749 (located in Fostoria, Ohio), was charged in an information with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $42,700, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and Fostoria Police Department.

On September 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Lowell Wreh, President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,642 and a $100 assessment.  On January 20, 2016, Wreh waived an indictment and entered a plea of guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 15, 2016, in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Maryland, Coralee Stotler, former employee of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 992 (located in Hagerstown, Md.), was charged with one count of theft between $1,000 and $10,000, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Treasury’s Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

On September 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Benjamin Stancil, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 451 (located in Havelock, N.C.), was sentenced to 120 days of home confinement and three years of probation, and was ordered to pay $13,308 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, and a $400 special assessment.  On June 13, 2016, Stancil pled guilty to four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, David Sager, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5000 (located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio), was indicted on nine counts of embezzlement, 18 counts of mail fraud, one count of obstruction of justice, and one count of false statements to law enforcement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1341, 18 U.S.C. 1512(c)(2), and 18 U.S.C. 1001, respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, John Bickerstaff, former business manager of Heat & Frost Insulators Local 133 (located in Bismarck, N.D.), was charged with one count of embezzling $70,659, one count of filing a false report, and one count of willfully concealing records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On September 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for Eastern District of Washington, Charles Nelson, former Secretary-Treasurer of the National Council of Security Police (NCSP), formally located in Yakima, Wash., pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $140,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2016.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 7, 2016, in the Dubois Superior Court in Dubois County, Indiana, Carlton Woodcox, former Secretary-Treasurer for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2150 (located in Jasper, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of theft in the amount of $30,859, a Class D felony.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jason Leach, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was ordered to pay a $100 fine and a $25 special assessment. On May 25, 2016, Leach pled guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 7, 2016, in the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Arthur W. Boedecker, Jr., former Vice President of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 270 (located in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio), was indicted for money laundering prohibitions, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 1315.55.  On March 17, 2016, Boedecker was initially charged with one count of theft in the amount of $40,203.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Todd Culley, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 103 (located in St. Francisville, La.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $91,926, in monthly installments of no less than $700.  He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and a $100 special assessment fee.  On April 26, 2016, Culley pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.

On September 1, 2016, in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Roger Martinez, former Vice President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 296 (formerly located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), pled no contest to one count of grand theft in the 3rd degree in the amount of $5,500.  Based upon an open plea to the court, the judge withheld adjudication and sentenced the subject to 18 months of probation.  Martinez previously paid full restitution of $5,500.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Ft. Lauderdale Resident Investigator Office.

On August 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Michelle Clifton, former office manager of Insulators Local 78 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), in the amount of $23,014.  In addition, Clifton agreed to pay restitution in the same amount.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Birmingham Resident Investigator Office.

On August 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Donn Pendergrass, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1191 (located in Mishawaka, Ind.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $33,435 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On May 16, 2016, Pendergrass pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On August 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, Roberto Gracia, Jr., former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1395 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), was charged in a Bill of Information, pled guilty, and was sentenced, for one count of 29 U.S.C. 439(a), failure to maintain union records, which resulted in a loss to the local in the amount of $26,354.  As part of the plea, the court also heard that Gracia failed to maintain the required union records as the former President of ILA 1544 (located in Brownsville, Tex.), which resulted in the a loss to the union in the amount of $3,478.  Gracia previously paid full restitution in both instances.  The charge, plea, and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jeremy Leach, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was ordered to pay a $250 fine and a $25 special assessment.  On May 27, 2016, Leach pled guilty to a superseding indictment charging him with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Adams, former Secretary Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 427 (located in Byram, Miss.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was order to pay restitution, in the amount of $45,495, in monthly installments of no less than $600.  Adams was also ordered to attend a money management class, perform 124 hours of community service, and pay a $25 special assessment fee.  On March 29, 2016, Adams pled guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.

On August 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Cisek, former Sergeant-at-Arms of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 56 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for December 12, 2016.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 23, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The investigation disclosed that from July 2008 through February 2012, Scott embezzled $66,954 from the union, by incurring $48,534 in unauthorized personal expenses using the union’s two credit cards, and collecting an additional $18,420 in unauthorized union checks written to himself.  Payments to the union’s credit card company for the personal expenses were made using the postal service.  The investigation also revealed that Scott filed false LM-2 reports for fiscal years ending June 30, 2009 through June 30, 2011 in an attempt to cover up the embezzlement.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On August 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Keith Christopherson, former business manager for Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union finds in the amount of $2,081, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On August 19, 2016, in the Dakota County (Minnesota) District Court, William Winecke, former Treasurer of the Soo Line Locomotive and Car Foremen’s Association (located in Apple Valley, Minn.), was charged with two counts of theft by swindle of more than $35,000.  The complaint alleges that Winecke stole union funds in the amount of $41,036 between August 2011 and April 2015.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 18, 2016, in the Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Jeanette Bowman, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 280 (located in Marion, Ohio), pled guilty to theft in the amount of $16,347, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Marion County Sheriff’s Department.

On August 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Magelitz, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 415 (located in Vienna, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Michael R. Bennett, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2317 (located in Lafayette, Ind.), was charged in a six-count indictment with three counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and three counts of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $4,500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On August 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,750, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Wanda Rosenboro-Correa, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2798 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a one-count indictment with theft within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States for stealing more than $1,000 from the union.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On August 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Johnny Wilson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was sentenced to 18 months of confinement, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $120,352 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 30, 2016, Wilson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $120,352, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 10, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Brian Cisek, former Sergeant-at-Arms of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 56 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $500, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 9, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, David Fleury, former President of Bricklayers Local 6 (located in Rockford, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling over $250,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On August 8, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Johnnie Miranti, an officer of Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223 a.k.a. the Toy and Novelty Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, in the amount of $138,500.  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On August 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Louis Smith, former President of Teamsters Local 810 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to Conspiracy to Solicit and Receive Kickbacks to Influence the Operation of an Employee Benefit Plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, in the amount of $151,481.  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the New York City Police Department, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On August 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for Middle District of Florida, Robert J. Tuttle, Jr., former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 173 (located in Bradenton, Fla.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $2,621 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On April 6, 2016, Tuttle pled guilty to making false entries in financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On August 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Guy Gokey, former Financial Secretary for Glass Molders and Plastics (GMP) Local 59 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was indicted for one count of embezzling $14,074 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of making false statements on a labor organization report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.  (Investigator Laura Maxwell)

On July 28, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Raul Mascote, former Machinists Local 2458 Secretary-Treasurer (located in Lemont, Ill.), was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $510,973 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On April 14, 2016, Mascote pled guilty to embezzling $64,263 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  In the plea agreement, for the purposes of computing his sentence under Guideline 1B1.2, Mascote stipulated to having stolen, and knowingly converted to his own, property of the United States (namely machine components, Tungsten steel and copper) valued at $510,973, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641.  Mascote had previously paid restitution of $64,263 to the union.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District office and the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 26, 2016, in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Roger Martinez, former Vice President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 296 (formerly located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), was charged with one count of grand theft in the 3rd degree in the amount of $5,500.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Ft. Lauderdale Resident Investigator Office.

On July 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $9,004 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On February 16, 2016, McJimpson pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 26, 2016, in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, Roger Martinez, former Vice President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 296 (formerly located in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), was charged with one count of grand theft in the 3rd degree in the amount of $5,500.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Ft. Lauderdale Resident Investigator Office.

On July 26, 2016, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas, County of Clarion, Mark Bell, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 2439 (located in Knox, Pa.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, in violation of 18 Pa. Criminal Code 3921(b), and one count of forgery, in violation of 18 Pa. Criminal Code 4101.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On July 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Roy Murray, former President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 2014 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of making a false statement in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, David Fleury, former President of Bricklayers Local 6 (located in Rockford, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling more than $250,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Adrian Lindsay, former Vice President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for expenditures of approximately $25,000 that were not authorized by the union.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On 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 Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Simiel Campbell, former President of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 2014 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,700 and a special assessment of $25.  Campbell was also ordered to serve 80 hours of community service.  On March 24, 2016, Campbell pled guilty to one count of making a material false statement and representation on the Form LM-3 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Keith Christopherson, former business manager for Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,081, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On July 20, 2016,in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Scot McNamara, former business agent and Financial Secretary of Insulators Local 34 (located in St. Paul, Minn.), was charged in a four-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,761, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On July 18, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Roy Murray, former President of Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 2014 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 18, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central Region of Illinois, Jerry L. Conner, former President of Teamsters Local 279 (located in Decatur, Ill.), was sentenced to one year probation, fined $2,500, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $26,009.  On February 5, 2016, Conner pled guilty to a one-count information for falsifying union records in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 18, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Oscar Luevano, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Lodge 5050 (located in Covina, Calif.), was sentenced to eight months of home confinement, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $104,410 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On March 30, 2016, Luevano pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $132,939, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office – Las Vegas Resident Office.

On July 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Malkia King, former President of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to willful concealment and withholding of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), showing use of association funds for expenditures of approximately $25,000 that were not authorized by the union.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On July 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Marcella Champion, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1831 (located in Landover, Md.) was sentenced to nine months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Champion was also ordered to perform 240 hours of community service and pay $19,152 in restitution.  Champion had previously paid $2,000 in restitution.  On May 3, 2016, Champion pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On July 14, 2016, in the Campbell County, Kentucky Circuit Court, Laura Cloyd, former Financial Secretary of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 112 (located in Alexandria, Ky.), was charged in a one-count indictment for felony theft by failure to make required disposition of property, value $500 or more, in violation of KRS 514.070.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central Division of the District of South Dakota, Kenneth Potter, former Treasurer of the South Dakota Staff Organization (located in Pierre, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of false records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). He was then sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to obtain and pay for credit counseling.  Potter had previously paid $4,130 in restitution.  On April 22, 2016, Potter was charged in a one-count information with falsification of financial records required to be kept by labor unions, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $73,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Devon Madray, President of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 119 (located in Roseville, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of  $20,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 30(located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39,517 and a $100 special assessment.  Booker was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service.  On February 19, 2016, Booker pled guilty to one charge of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Joan Dutton and Tatia Clark, former President and former Financial Secretary, respectively, of Steelworkers Local 2801 (located in Signal Hill, Calif.), were each charged in a four-count indictment for conspiring, and aiding and abetting the other, in the embezzlement of $15,935 in union funds and in the concealment, withholding, and destruction of union records, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 2(a), 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), pled guilty to a false report charge for helping to conceal an embezzlement of union funds totaling $31,850 during 2012 and 2013.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On June 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Michelle R. Clifton, former office manager/bookkeeper for Insulators Local 78 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was charged in a 20-count indictment.  Clifton was charged with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $23,014, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); 17 counts of forged securities of a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and two counts of fraudulent statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On June 23, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michael Schofield, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Local 1046 (located in Plainfield, Ill.), was charged in a one-count bill of information with making a false entry with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-4 report for fiscal year ending March 31, 2013.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On June 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Terry Aters, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 7689 (located in Marston, Mo.), was sentenced to three consecutive weekends in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons, six months in the location monitoring program, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $153,434 and a $100 special assessment.  On March 24, 2016, Aters pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, John McCain, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1016 (located in Poplar Bluff, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $30,948 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On June 22, 2016, in the Dubois Superior Court in Dubois County, Indiana, Carlton Woodcox, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2150 (located in Jasper, Ind.), was charged in a two-count information for theft totaling $32,787, in violation of Indiana Code 35-43-4-2.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Steve Hartman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians Chapter 83 (located in Frankfort, Ky.), was charged in a one-count information with forgery totaling $2,173, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 513.  He then pled guilty to the charge.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Bernadine Bell, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 757 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the approximate amount of $73,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The information follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Benjamin Stancil, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 451 (located in Havelock, N.C.), pled guilty to four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On June 8, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jeffrey Velfling and John Crosby, former Chief Steward and Assistant Steward, respectively, of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 307 (located in Detroit, Mich.), each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,758, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty pleas follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On 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.

On June 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Nereida Norris, former Clerk Craft Director of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 98 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), was sentenced to nine months in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $25,956 in restitution, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  On February 5, 2016, Norris pled guilty to a one-count information for making a false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 31, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jesus Gonzales, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 300 (formerly 488-489; located in Lansing, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,726.  On January 19, 2016, Gonzales pled guilty to one count of making false entries in financial records required to be kept by labor unions, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jason Leach, former President of United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was charged in a superseding indictment with making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  On May 26, 2016, Leach pled guilty to the charge.  The indictment and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jeremy Leach, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers of America Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was charged in a superseding indictment with one count of making false statements and representation of a material fact knowing it to be false, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  On May 27, 2016, Leach pled guilty to the charge.  The indictment and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Mark P. Durinski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 294 (located in Limestone, Maine), was sentenced to one month of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $53,544.  On September 14, 2015, Durinski pled guilty to three counts of making false statements and entries on LM-Reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On May 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Donn Pendergrass, former President of United Steelworkers of America (USWA) Local 1191 (located in Mishawaka, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $33,435 in union funds , in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On May 19, 2016, in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in Cleveland, Ohio, Alan Shaffer, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Transportation Division Local 792 (located in Elyria, Ohio), was indicted for one count of grand theft in the amount of $8,563, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02 A(3).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On May 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Raymond Fujii, former Executive Director for the Hawaii Painting & Decorating Contractors Association (PDCA), was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $1,234,713 in restitution.  On January 20, 2016, Fujii pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for concealing his embezzlement of approximately $1,483,800 from the Hawaii Painters Trade Promotion & Charity Fund and the PDCA, and one count of filing a false tax return.  The Trade Promotion & Charity Fund is a CBA-negotiated fund that comes out of hourly wages of members of Painters District Council 50 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii).  The fund is used to primarily fund the PDCA.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigative Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

On May 10, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Assane Faye, National President/Executive Director for the United Security and Police Officers of America (USPOA), located in Toms River, N.J., was found guilty by a jury for charges relating to two counts of embezzling union funds over $350,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and seven counts of mail fraud over $7,000 arising from unemployment insurance fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  Faye was ordered by the court to immediately relinquish his union position as National President/Executive Director and remain under home confinement pending sentencing.  The guilty verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Gregory J. Hill, Jr., former Vice President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), was sentenced to four years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,232.  On January 21, 2016, Hill pled guilty to one count of Uttering-Forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a), in the amount of $581.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On May 4, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Shelly Sutton, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 477 (located in Wichita, Kans.), was sentenced to three months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution of $78,778.  On February 17, 2016, Sutton pled guilty to one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Marcella Champion, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1831 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 for stealing $4,130 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On April 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Todd Culley, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 103 (located in St. Francisville, La.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.

On April 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central Division of the District of South Dakota, Kenneth Potter, former Treasurer of the South Dakota Staff Organization (located in Pierre, S.D.), was charged in a one-count information with falsification of financial records required to be kept by labor unions, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Potter was previously charged in a one-count indictment on March 15, 2016 with embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,130, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.

On April 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Charles Nelson, former Treasurer for the National Council of Security Police (NCSP), located in Yakima, Wash., was indicted for one count of embezzling over $140,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On April 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jeffrey Velfling and John Crosby, former Chief Steward and Assistant Steward, respectively, of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 307 (located in Detroit, Mich.), were each charged in an indictment with one count of embezzling approximately $6,758 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Raul Mascote, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Local Lodge 2458 (located in Minooka, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $63,263, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Not included in the charge, but for the purposes of computing his sentence under Guideline Section 1B1.2, Mascote stipulated to having stolen, and knowingly converted to his own, property of the United States valued at $510,973, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641.  The guilty plea follows investigations conducted by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Energy’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, Todd Culley, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 103 (located in St. Francisville, La.), was charged in a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of the South Dakota American Postal Workers of America (APWU) State Association (located in Huron, S.D.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  Haugen previously paid restitution in the amount of $38,234.  On January 26, 2016, Haugen pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $30,783, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On April 6, 2016, in the Nassau County District Court in Mineola, New York, Charles Burke, former Treasurer of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 365 (located in Valley Stream, N.Y.), pled guilty to Scheme to Defraud 2 (a class A misdemeanor) and admitted to stealing $111,000 from Local 365 without the union’s permission, authority, or knowledge.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On April 6, 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.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On April 6, 2016,in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Coffey, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5-887 (located in Newell, W.Va.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  On December 11, 2015, Coffey pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,260, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Coffey paid $7,419 in restitution prior to his sentencing.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On April 6, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Robert J. Tuttle, Jr., former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 173 (located in Bradenton, Fla.), pled guilty to making false entries in records required to be kept by the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), for concealing his embezzlement of approximately $11,275.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On April 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Daniel P. Ternitsky, Jr., former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers Local 285 (located in Allison, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $10,680 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On April 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jeremy Leach, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was indicted on 12 counts of embezzlement totaling $3,111 in labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, Jason Leach, former President of United Steelworkers Local 13-669 (located in Pryor, Okla.), was indicted on nine counts of embezzlement totaling $2,524 in labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 4, 2016, in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Hood River, Bonita Scherling, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7970 (located in Hood River, Ore.), Scherling pled guilty to a single count of Forgery in the 1st Degree (ORS 165.013) and a single count Identity Theft (ORS 165.800).  She was then sentenced to five years of probation, 120 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $19,386 and a $500 fine.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Oscar Luevano, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Local Lodge 5050 (located in Covina, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds  in the amount of $132,939, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office – Las Vegas Resident Office.

On March 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Johnny L, Wilson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was charged and pled guilty to a one-count information of embezzling $120,352 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 29, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Adams, former Secretary Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 427 (located in Byram, Miss.), pled guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  Restitution will be ordered at sentencing.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans Office.

On March 28, 2016, in Smith County Court, in the State of Texas, Stanley Buchanan, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 493 (located in Tyler, Tex.), pled guilty to credit card abuse, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.31 (b)(3).  He was then sentenced for a deferred adjudication, placed on community supervision for a period of three years, and was ordered to pay $6,406 in restitution and $348 in court costs.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Oscar Luevano, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union/International Association of Machinists (TCU/IAM) Local Lodge 5050 (located in Covina, Calif.), was charged in a one-count information for embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office – Las Vegas Resident Office.

On March 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Simiel Campbell, former President of Transport Workers Union Local 2014 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of making a material false statement and representation on the Form LM-3 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  An information filed on March 22, 2016, charged Campbell with one count of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), superseded a one-count indictment filed on December 18, 2013, which charged Campbell with embezzling approximately $19,400 in union funds in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 24, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Terry Aters, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 7686 (located in Marston, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On October 7, 2015, Aters was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $153,434.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On March 23, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, James Deamicis, former member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to one year and one day of confinement and one year of probation.  Deamicis was also ordered to pay $42,091 in restitution as well as a $700 special assessment and forfeiture.  On November 9, 2015, Deamicis was found guilty of three counts of extortion, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951.  On November 30, 2015, Deamicis pled guilty to three counts of mail fraud and one count of theft of government funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 18 U.S.C. 641, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On March 22, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Bob Buford, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419 (located in Danville, Ill.), was indicted on one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for concealing his embezzlement of approximately $28,697 from the union’s savings account during 2010.  In addition, Buford was indicted on one count of filing a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), with respect to the filing of the union’s LM-3 report for fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 17, 2016, in the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Arthur W. Boedecker, Jr., former Vice President of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 270 (located in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio), was indicted under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2913.02(A)(3) for theft of more than $7,500, a felony in the fourth degree, for receiving unwarranted lost time payments from the union totaling $40,203.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On March 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Central Division, Kenneth Potter, former Treasurer of National Staff Organization, South Dakota Staff Organization (located in Pierre, S.D.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $4,130, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,823,  in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 15, 2016, in the Superior Court of Dougherty County in the State of Georgia, William Price, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1762 (located in Albany, Ga.), pled guilty to one count of Theft by Taking by a Fiduciary in the amount of $163,065, in violation of O.C.G.A.  42-8-60. He was then sentenced to 10 years of probation and was ordered to pay $80,000 in restitution ($5,000 to be paid within 30 days) and $55 in court fees.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 14, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Northern Division, Timothy Roy Casperson, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 249 (located in Menominee, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $100 special assessment.  Casperson was also ordered to complete 200 hours of documented community service.  Casperson previously paid restitution in the amount of $10,062.  On December 3, 2015, Casperson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,650, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On March 11, 2016, in the Justice’s Court of Union Township, County of Humboldt, Nevada, Patrick Cunningham, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 229 (located in Winnemucca, Nev.), was charged with one count of felony theft, a violation of Nevada Revised Statute 205.0832 and 205.0835.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 10, 2016, in the Suffolk County Superior Court in Boston, Massachusetts, Esther LaFontant, former bookkeeper of Plumbers Local 12 (located in Boston, Mass.), was charged with three counts of larceny over $250, in violation of Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 266, Section 30, totaling approximately $155,000.  LaFontant was also charged with falsifying entries in corporate books, in violation of MGL Chapter 266, Section 67.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Massachusetts State Police.

On March 8, 2016, in the Nassau County District Court in Mineola, N.Y., Charles Burke, former Treasurer of Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 365 (located in Valley Stream, N.Y.), was arraigned in a two-count complaint for Grand Larceny in the 2nd Degree, in violation of Section 155.40(1) of the Penal Law of the State of New York, a class c felony (1 Count) and Scheme to Defraud in the 1st Degree, in violation of Section 190.65(1)(b) of the Penal Law of the State of New York, a class e felony (1 Count), by stealing in excess of $111,000 from UWUA, Local 365.  The complaint follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On March 4, 2016, in the Superior Court of Arizona (Maricopa County), Therlen Benally, former Treasurer of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $1,220 and fees/assessments totaling $215.  On January 22, 2016, Benally pled guilty to facilitation of fraudulent schemes or artifices, in violation of Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 13-2310 and 13-1004; theft, in violation of A.R.S. 13-1802; and criminal possession of a forgery device, in violation of A.R.S. 13-2003(A)(1).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.

On March 4, 2016, in the Fulton County District Court (Atlanta), Nathan Lee, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Ways Employes (BMWE), IBT, Local 536 (located in Suwanee, Ga.), pled guilty to theft by taking, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-8-2, for embezzling $4,098.  Lee was then sentenced to five years of probation.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On March 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Juan Carlos Recinos, Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer of Iron Workers Local 201 (located in Washington, D.C.), was indicted on seven counts of taking $18,700 in kickbacks from public works employees, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 874.  The indictment alleges that Recinos falsely represented to several members that they needed to give him some of their back pay awards to pay for an attorney and then kept the money.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 1, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Cynthia Gale Angulo, former President of the Currency and Security Handlers Association (CASHA), located in Houston, Tex., was sentenced to 10 months of confinement, split into three months in custody and seven months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $61,272.  On August 27, 2015, Angulo pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in the amount of $61,200, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 26, 2016, in the Onondaga County Court in Syracuse, New York, Patrick Rommevaux, former business representative of Elevator Constructors Local 62 (located in Syracuse, N.Y.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine.  He previously made restitution in the amount of $16,545.  On December 9, 2015, Rommevaux was indicted and pled guilty to one felony count of grand larceny in the fourth degree.  The sentencing follows an investigation from the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On February 23, 2016, in the United Stated District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Benjamin F. Stancil, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 451 (located in Havelock, N.C.), was charged in an information with four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1530 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $42,018, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Malkia King and Adrian Lindsay, former President and Vice President, respectively, of the Benefit Fund Staff Association (BFSA), located in New York, N.Y., were each charged in a complaint with conspiracy and embezzlement of union funds in the amount of approximately $25,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charges follow and investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On February 18, 2016, in the 8th District Court of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, Alton Alexander, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-479 (located in Plainwell, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of misdemeanor embezzlement of $200 or more, but less than $1,000, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.174(3)(a).  Alexander was then sentenced to six months of probation and was ordered to pay $2,553 in restitution, a $100 fine, and court and probation costs totaling $300.  Alexander previously paid restitution in the amount of $1,653.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Shelly Sutton, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 477 (located in Wichita, Kans.), pled guilty to one count of bank fraud in the amount of $93,094, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On February 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Danny L. Rawls, former member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (located in Shreveport, La.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,208.  On September 2, 2015, Rawls pled guilty to one count of making a false statement to a Department of Labor Investigator, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 16, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a).  An information filed on that date charging McJimpson with one count of failure to maintain union records superseded a one-count indictment filed on August 18, 2015, which charged McJimpson with embezzling approximately $19,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On February 12, 2016, in the 167th District Court of Texas, Richard McCullough, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to theft (greater than $20,000, but less than $100,000), in violation of Texas Criminal Code Section 31.03.  McCullough was then sentenced to one year of confinement (suspended), two years of community supervision, and was ordered to pay $292 in court costs, $60 a month in supervision fees, a $30 Crime Stopper fee, and a $100 Family Violence Center fee.  McCullough previously paid full restitution totaling $22,681.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 12, 2016, in the 167th District Court of Texas, Jessica McCullough, former Chief Steward of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to theft (greater than $1,500, but less than $20,000), in violation of Texas Criminal Code Section 31.03.  McCullough’s sentence was deferred contingent upon her completion of two years of community supervision.  She was ordered to pay $292 in court costs, $60 a month in supervision fees, a $30 Crime Stopper fee, and a $100 Family Violence Center fee.  McCullough previously paid full restitution totaling $7,556.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Nereida Norris, former Clerk Craft Director and Chief Steward of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 98 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 5, 2016, in the United Stated District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Jerry L. Conner, former President and Business Agent of Teamsters Local 279 (located in Decatur, Ill.), pled guilty to making false entries in financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 4, 2016, in the Superior Court of Arizona (Maricopa County), Anne Susan, former business manager of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay $18,056 in restitution.  On January 4, 2016, Susan pled guilty to theft, taking the identity of another, and forgery, in violation of Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1802, 13-2008, and 13-2002, respectively.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.

On February 3, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Lawrence Moyer, President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 6723 (located in Troy, Mich.), was charged in a criminal complaint with one count of embezzling $2,599 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 27, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Nereida Norris, Clerk Craft Director of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 98 (located in Fort Worth, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information for making a false statement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 27, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Raymond Fujii, former executive director for the Hawaii Painting & Decorating Contractors Association (PDCA), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for concealing his embezzlement of approximately $1,483,800 from the Hawaii Painters Trade Promotion & Charity Fund and the Association between 1997 and 2014.  The Trade Promotion & Charity Fund is a CBA-negotiated fund that comes out of hourly wages of members of Painters District Council 50 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii).  The fund is used to primarily fund the PDCA.  Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2016.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigative Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

On January 27, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, John McCain, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1016 (located in Poplar Bluff, Mo.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of $30,948 in labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of the South Dakota American Postal Workers of America (APWU) State Association (located in Huron, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $30,782, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Humphrey then pled guilty to the charge.  The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 25, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Helen Genal, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of the United Autoworkers (UAW) Fox Valley Area Community Action Program (CAP), located in Oshkosh, Wisc., was sentenced to six months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release.  Genal was also ordered to pay $30,020 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On November 2, 2015, Genal pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On January 22, 2016, in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona, Therlen Benally, former Treasurer of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), pled guilty to Facilitation of Fraudulent Schemes or Artifices, in violation of Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 13-2310 and 13-1004; Theft, in violation of A.R.S. 13-1802; and Criminal Possession of a Forgery Device, in violation of A.R.S. 13-2003(A)(1), all Class 6 undesignated felonies.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office.

On January 21, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Gregory J. Hill, Jr., former Vice President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), pled guilty to one count of uttering-forgery in the amount of $581, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Patrick Remigio, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2859 (located in Maricopa, Ariz.), was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and on two counts of false documents, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigator Office, Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Raymond Fujii, former executive director for the Hawaii Painting & Decorating Contractors Association (PDCA), was charged with one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for concealing his embezzlement of approximately $1,483,800 from the Hawaii Painters Trade Promotion & Charity Fund and the Association between 1997 and 2014.  In addition, Fujii was charged with one count of filing a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1)), for underreporting his income in 2009.  The Trade Promotion & Charity Fund is a CBA-negotiated fund that comes out of hourly wages of members of Painters District Council 50 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii).  The fund is used to primarily fund the PDCA.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigative Office and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations.

On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michelle Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Westchester, Ill.), was sentenced to three months in prison and one year of supervision.  She was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $31,161 (previously paid approximately $16,000) and a $25 special assessment.  On October 8, 2015, Misso pled guilty to making false entries in records required to be maintained by LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 20, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Lowell Wreh, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), waived an indictment and entered a plea of guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jesus Gonzales, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 300 (formerly Local 488-489), located in Lansing, Mich., pled guilty to making false entries in financial records required to be kept by the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 19, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Heather Banhidy, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 120 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation and 50 hours of community service, and she was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  Banhidy previously made full restitution prior to her sentencing.  On October 26, 2015, Banhidy pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $13,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Joshua Lewis, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) Lodge 212 (located in Gillespie, Ill.), pled guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment.  On November 17, 2015, Lewis was indicted for one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The guilty plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Gregory Paradis, former chief steward of the United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO) Local 501 (located in Seabrook, N.H.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,493.  On October 2, 2015, Paradis pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On January 12, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, Herbert White, Jr., former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Local 8936 (located in Wilmington, Del.), was charged in a criminal complaint with embezzling $24,287 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On January 7, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Carolyn Hall, bookkeeper for Laborers Local 1197 (located in McLeansboro, Ill.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 assessment.  Hall previously paid restitution in full.  On August 7, 2015, Hall pled guilty to one count of embezzling $26,291 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 6, 2016, in the United Stated District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Jerry L. Conner, former President and Business Agent of Teamsters Local 279 (located in Decatur, Ill.), was charged in an information with making false entries in financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Christopher Headlee, former Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 50 (located in Durango, Colo.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay remaining restitution in the amount of $1,947 ($9,000 previously paid) and a $25 special assessment.  On October 14, 2015, Headlee pled guilty to one count of falsification of an annual financial report filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Northern Division, Edward Mason, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2274 (located in Saginaw, Mich.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $21,077 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On September 17, 2015, Mason pled guilty to one count of making false statements in an official certificate or writing, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1018.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 4, 2016, in the Maricopa County Superior Court of Arizona, Anne Susan, former business manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), pled guilty to theft, taking the identity of another, and forgery, in violation of Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1802, 13-2008, and 13-2002, respectively. The sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2016. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office.

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Source: Quoted verbatim from the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

On 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 members’ 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.

On December 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, John Hamilton, former business manager of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was charged in a nine-count indictment with one count of interference with commerce by extortion and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951); one count of attempted structuring of financial transactions (31 U.S.C. 5324(a)(3)); one count of laundering of monetary instruments (18 U.S.C. 1956(a)(1)(B)(i) & (B)(ii)); one count of embezzlement of union funds (29 U.S.C. 501(c)); two counts of conspiracy to embezzle union funds (18 U.S.C. 371 & 29 U.S.C. 501(c)); one count of conspiracy to commit theft from an employee or welfare benefit fund (18 U.S.C. 371 & 664); and one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail and wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1349).  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On December 15, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Dawn Colley, former employee of United Steelworkers Local 8-719 (located in Ashland, Ky.), pled guilty and was sentenced for making false entries in records required to be kept by the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Colley was sentenced to two years of probation and she was ordered to pay restitution totaling $4,200 ($7,446 previously paid) and a $25 special assessment.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On December 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Howard Royal, former President of Government Security Officers Local 304 (located on Harrisburg, Pa.), was sentenced to six months of house arrest followed by six months of supervised probation and he was ordered to pay $66,989 in restitution.  On July 17, 2015, Royal pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On December 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Coffey, former President of United Steelworkers Local 5-887 (located in Newell, W.Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $6,260, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On December 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Jerry Vincent, former President of Teamsters Local 783 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement with location monitoring and three years of probation, and he was ordered to pay restitution totaling $22,251 and a $425 special assessment.  On August 17, 2105, Vincent pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $17,272, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and 13 counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The $22,251 in restitution consists of the embezzled amount and funds obtained through an unearned vacation advance/illegal loan from Teamsters Local 783 to which Vincent did not plead guilty.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On December 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ‘Alex’ Cedeno, former President and Health & Welfare Fund Trustee of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 250 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $33,583 in restitution and a $25 special assessment.  On March 6, 2015, Cedeno pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.

On December 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Donn Pendergrass, President of Steelworkers Local 1191 (located in Mishawaka, Ind.), was indicted on one count of embezzling approximately $33,435 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On December 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Robert J. Tuttle, Jr., former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 173 (located in Bradenton, Fla.), was indicted for four counts of embezzling approximately $4,857 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On December 3, 2015, in the Smith County Court in the State of Texas, Stanley Buchanan, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 493 (located in Tyler, Tex.), was charged in an indictment for credit card abuse in the amount of $7,776, in violation of Texas Penal Code 32.31(b)(3).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On December 3, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy Casperson, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 249 (located in Menominee, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,650, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On December 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Estella Collier, former office secretary and bookkeeper for Carpenters Local 200 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to attend Gamblers Anonymous.  In addition, Collier was ordered to pay full restitution.  On August 11, 2015, Collier pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), in the amount of $12,933.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On December 1, 2015, in the Onondaga County Court in Syracuse, New York, Patrick Rommevaux, former business representative of Elevator Constructors Local 62 (located in Syracuse, N.Y.), was charged with one felony count of grand larceny in the fourth degree for stealing $16,545 from his union.  Rommevaux then pled guilty to the charge.  The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation from the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On December 1, 2015, in the Lucas County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, John Allen, former Treasurer of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1982 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was charged with one count of theft in the amount of $1,940, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, James “Jimmy the Bull” Deamicis, former Steward of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), pled guilty to three counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, and one count of theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641, for collection of $41,391 in overpaid state unemployment insurance benefits while working as a member of Local 82.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Henry Shuler, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1892 (located in Houston, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment.  On April 27, 2015, Shuler pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Shuler paid $40,118 in restitution prior to his sentencing.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Michael Low, former Treasurer of Laborers Local 2097 (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was sentenced to three years of probation, 18 days incarceration, and 104 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Low previously paid full restitution.  On March 26, 2015, Low was charged and pled guilty to one count of false statements to a federal agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, for embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,937.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (with credit for time served) and two years of probation, and she was ordered to pay $23,727 in restitution.  On August 14, 2015, Randle pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 19, 2015, in the Third Judicial District in Dona Ana County, New Mexico, Daniel Correa, business agent for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 16 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was indicted for one count of embezzlement (over $20,000), in violation of NMSA 30-16-8.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, after a one week trial, James “Jimmy the Bull” Deamicis, former Steward of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was found guilty of Hobbs Act extortion, attempted extortion, and extortion conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951. Deamicis is scheduled to be sentenced on March 23, 2016.  The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Jeffrey Magelitz, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 415 (located in Vienna, Ill.), was indicted for one count of embezzling approximately $30,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Joshua Lewis, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED) Lodge 212 (located in Gillespie, Ill.), was indicted for one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Stephanie Hicks, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2207 (located in Birmingham, Ala.), was sentenced to six months in federal prison, six months of home confinement, and five years of supervised probation.  Hicks was also ordered to pay $83,927 in restitution and a $1,600 fine.  Hicks previously paid restitution in the amount of $8,000.  Hicks pled guilty to eight counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344, and eight counts of passing a forged security, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513, for a loss of $91,927.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On November 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Pamela Nessen, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 286 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and one year of probation.  He was also ordered to pay $58,087 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  On June 11, 2015, Nessen pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee and FOP Lodge 189 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to 16 months in prison and three years of supervised release, and he was ordered to pay approximately $127,000 in restitution and to forfeit approximately $12,000.  On June 24, 2015, Givens pled guilty to embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 in total from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Earvin, former President of the United Federation of Law Enforcement Officers (UFLEO), located in New Rochelle, N.Y., was sentenced to six months of home confinement, three years of probation, and 600 hours of community service, and he was ordered to pay $28,012 in restitution.  On June 19, 2015, Earvin pled guilty to wire fraud in connection with ATM withdrawals from the union account for personal use, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On November 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Shelly Sutton, former Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 477 (located in Wichita, Kans.), was indicted on one count of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On November 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Marcella Champion, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1831 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, for stealing $4,130 from the union.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was sentenced to eight weekends in federal prison, six months of home confinement, 100 hours of community service, 60 months of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,658 and a $100 special assessment.  On June 18, 2015, Herold-Roden pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On November 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Helen Genal, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Autoworkers (UAW) Fox Valley Area Community Action Program (CAP), located in Oshkosh, Wisc., pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c).  On July 28, 2015, an indictment was filed charging Genal with embezzling $29,968 by issuing checks to self for false expenses.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On October 30, 2015, in the Greene County, Missouri Circuit Court, Jackie Nutter, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers Local 15485 (located in Springfield, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of theft (value of property or services is $500 or more but less than $25,000), in violation of Missouri Statute RS:MO 570.030.  Nutter was then sentenced to five years in prison (suspended execution of sentence) and five years of probation.  Nutter previously paid full restitution in the amount of $12,284.  On September 19, 2014, Nutter was charged with theft.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 30, 2015, in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for the County of Hood River, Bonita Scherling, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7970 (located in Hood River, Ore.), was indicted on one count of Theft in the 1st Degree, one count of Forgery in the 1st Degree, and two counts of Identity Theft, all Class C Felonies in violation of ORS 164.055, ORS 165.013, and ORS 165.800, respectively.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On October 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Jacquelyn Askew, former bookkeeper for Painters District Council 35 (located in Roslindale, Mass.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $18,720 in restitution, a $2,500 fine, and a $100 special assessment.  Askew previously paid restitution in the amount of $22,209.  On July 22, 2015, Askew pled guilty to one count of embezzling $40,930 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

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.

On October 27, 2015, in the Hamilton County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Chad Petras, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 342-C (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of attempted theft, in violation of O.R.C. 2923.02, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail (suspended), one year of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,500 and a $150 fine.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 26, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Heather Banhidy, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 120 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On August 12, 2015, an indictment was filed charging Banhidy with embezzling $13,906 by failing to record cash receipts.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Anthony Frederick, former business manager of Laborers Local 657 (located in Washington, D.C.), Christopher Kwegan, co-owner of STS Construction, and Gary Cooper, co-owner of STS Construction, were indicted on embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); conspiracy to embezzle from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; unlawful labor payments, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 186; conspiracy to commit unlawful labor payments, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; honest services fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1346; money laundering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1957; and aiding and abetting, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2.  The indictment alleges, among other things, that Frederick paid nearly $1.1 million to STS Construction for minimal renovations done on the union administrative building and $580,000 to STS Construction, which was gross overpayment, for expediting permits on the union training center being worked on by another construction company.  The indictment also alleges that STS Construction paid $225,000 for a down payment on a house for Frederick and more than $600,000 to a corporation owned in part by Frederick’s wife.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the FBI.

On October 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, James Adams, former Secretary Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 427 (located in Byram, Miss.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $45,043 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of making false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On October 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Richard Molczyk, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 493 (located in Fort Dodge, Iowa), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,196 and a $100 special assessment.  On April 13, 2015, Molczyk pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On October 19, 2015, 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 indicted on one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, and two counts of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On October 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Christopher Headlee, former Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 50 (located in Colorado Springs, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of falsification of an annual financial report filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 13, 2015,in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Robin Pirrello, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1637 (located in Erie, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $22,184 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On October 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Illinois, Michelle M. Misso, former bookkeeper for Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Broadview, Ill.), pled guilty to an information for one count of making a false entry in a book, record, report, and statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  Misso pled guilty to the factual basis that her false record was one of several methods she used to embezzle $47,161 from the union.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Dawn Colley, former employee of United Steelworkers Local 8-719 (located in Ashland, Ky.), was charged in a three-count indictment for embezzling $7,201 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $8,993 and a $100 special assessment.  On April 23, 2015, Deitrick pled guilty to an information charging one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On October 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Terry Aters, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 11-7686 (located in Marston, Mo.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $153,434 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 6, 2015,in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, James Coffey, Jr., former President of United Steelworkers Local 5-887 (located in Newell, W.Va.), was charged in a two-count indictment with embezzling $7,098 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.

On October 5, 2015, in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona, Anne Louise Susan, former business manager of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged in a 24-count indictment for Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, in violation of Arizona Revised Statute (A.R.S.) 13-2310, a class 4 felony (1 count); Theft, in violation of A.R.S. 13-1802, a class 3 felony (1 count); Forgery, in violation of A.R.S. 13-2002, a class 4 felony (21 counts); and Taking the Identity of Another, in violation of A.R.S. 13-2008, a class 4 felony (1 count).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office.

On October 5, 2015, in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix, Arizona, Therlen Mayne Benally, former Treasurer of Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1386 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged in a 29-count indictment for Facilitation of Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices, in violation of Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 13-2310 and 13-1004, a class 6 felony (1 count); Theft, in violation of A.R.S. 13-1802, a class 6 felony (1 count); and Forgery, in violation of A.R.S. 13-2002, a class 4 felony (27 counts).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office.

On October 2, 2015, in the United States District Court District of New Hampshire, Gregory Paradis, former Chief Steward of the United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO), located in Seabrook, N.H., pled guilty to one count of embezzling $13,493 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 30, 2015, in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, Maria Del Cupolo, former Bookkeeper for International Association of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons (OPCMIA) Local 300 (located in Oakland, Calif.), pled guilty to a single count of grand theft with an excessive loss over $65,000, in violation of California Penal Code 487(a).  Del Cupolo was then sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $96,842.  On December 2, 2015, Del Cupolo received an additional sentence of one year in Santa Rita County jail.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 30, 2015, in the 8th District Court of Kalamazoo County, Michigan, a criminal complaint was filed charging Alton Alexander, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers of America Local 2-479 (located in Plainwell, Mich.), with one count of misdemeanor embezzlement of $200 or more but less than $1,000, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.174(3)(a).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On September 28, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Christopher Headlee, former Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 50 (located in Colorado Springs, Colo.), was charged in an indictment for one count of falsification of an annual financial report filed by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment was unsealed on October 14, 2015.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Paul Stewart, former Vice President of the Detroit Police Officers Association (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  Restitution is to be determined at a future hearing.  On February 23, 2016, Stewart was additionally ordered to pay $175,000 in restitution.On December 8, 2014, Stewart was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud through bribes and kickbacks.  The evidence at trial showed that Detroit’s two retirement systems lost more than $97 million on pension deals corrupted by bribes and kickbacks taken or paid by Stewart and his co-defendants in return for votes on investment decisions made by the boards of trustees of the two pension systems, of which Stewart was a member.  During the conspiracy, Stewart accepted more than $48,000 in cash, trips, meals, drinks, and other things of value in return for his support on pension deals proposed by the givers of the bribes.  The sentencing follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Thomas Flaherty, former member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $21,011 and a fine of $1,000.  On June 29, 2015, Flaherty pled guilty to three counts of mail fraud for defrauding the Massachusetts Department of Workforce Development, Division of Unemployment Assistance of unemployment insurance benefits.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On September 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Northern Division, Edward Mason, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2274 (located in Saginaw, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of making false statements in an official certificate or writing, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1018.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Mark P. Durinski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 294 (located in Limestone, Maine), pled guilty to three counts of making false statements and entries on LM-Reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3).  Durinski agreed to make restitution in the amount of $53,544 as part of this plea.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Sergio Rascon, Jr., former bookkeeper assistant for LIUNA Local 300 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment.  On June 9, 2015, Rascon pled guilty to one count of embezzling $2,417 in labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and DOL’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Richard Johnson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1433 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay $273,489 in restitution and a $425 special assessment.  On June 2, 2015, Johnson pled guilty to a five-count information for Embezzlement of Union Assets (three counts), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); Forgery (one count), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and False Reporting (one count), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, John Jones, former Financial Secretary of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 59 (located in Spokane, Wash.), was sentenced to two months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,762 and a $100 special assessment.  Jones had previously made restitution payments.  On June 11, 2015, Jones pled guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On September 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Florez, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3922 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was sentenced to 180 days of home confinement, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $44,878 in restitution and a $5,000 fine.  On June 10, 2015, Florez pled guilty to a one-count indictment for taking away with the intent to steal property of another within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing following follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 3, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jeremy Bolte, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees (BMWE) Lodge 800 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $12,500 and a special assessment of $1,000.  On October 29, 2014, Bolte pled guilty to 10 counts of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Danny L. Rawls, former member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (located in Shreveport, La.), pled guilty to one charge of making a false statement to an OLMS investigator, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Steven Minella, former President and Business Agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4, for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951) by another Local 324 official.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On September 1, 2015, in the United States District Court of South Carolina, Sharon Holmes, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 807 (located in Columbia, S.C.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,823, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C 439(c); one count of wire fraud in the amount of $178,330, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343; and one count of fraud and related activity in connection with access devices, in violation of 18  U.S.C. 1029(a)(2).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 1, 2015, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Betty Robinson, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2751 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was indicted on one count of theft of at least $10,000 but less than $100,000, in violation of Criminal Law Article, Section 7-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.  The indictment was the result of an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On August 31, 2015, in the Hennepin County Court of Minnesota, Dean Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 899 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was charged with one felony count of theft by swindle, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52.  The complaint alleges that Johnson stole $2,036 between January 2013 and August 2013.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Minneapolis Airport Police.

On August 31, 2015,in the Hennepin County Court of Minnesota, Edward Barker, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 899 (located in Minneapolis, Minn.), was charged with one felony count of theft by swindle, in violation of Minnesota Statute 609.52.  The complaint alleges that Barker stole $1,790 between March 2013 and July 2013.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the Minneapolis Airport Police.

On August 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Cynthia Gale Angulo, former President of the Currency and Security Handlers Association (CASHA), located in Houston, Texas, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $61,200 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On August 27, 2015, in the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County Pennsylvania, Rae Dawn Grillo, former Treasurer of the Charleroi Area Education Association (CAEA), located in Charleroi, Pa., pled guilty to theft of $65,963 in association funds, in violation of 18 Pa. Criminal Code 3921(a).  Grillo was then sentenced to nine months of electronic monitoring, five years of probation, 200 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay the remaining restitution in the amount $8,175.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Michelle Misso, former bookkeeper of Ironworkers Local 63 (located in Broadview, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with making a false entry on a check, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael C. Trembulak, former President of Utility Workers Union Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), was sentenced to five months of incarceration, followed by six months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount $31,528.  On March 4, 2015, Trembulak had previously pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On August 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Karen McJimpson, former Executive Vice President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4004 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling approximately $19,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On August 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Jerry Vincent, former President of Teamsters Local 783 (located in Louisville, Ky.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $17,272 and 13 counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On August 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), for using the proceeds of forged union checks for personal benefit.  The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, Gregory Paradis, former Chief Steward of United Federation of Special Police and Security Officers (UFSPSO) Local 501 (located in Seabrook, N.H.), was charged in a one-count indictment with embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Jesus Gonzales, President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 300 (formerly Local 488-489), located in Lansing, Mich., was charged with one count of embezzling $6,720 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of falsifying financial records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charges follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the United States Postal Service’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Heather Banhidy, former office secretary for Plumbers Local 120 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was indicted for one count of embezzlement in the amount of $13,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of falsification of union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On August 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Estella Collier, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 200 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On July 28, 2015, an information was filed charging Collier with embezzling $12,933 by writing unauthorized checks payable to herself and her credit union as well as using the union’s bank account to make personal purchases from online merchants.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On August 10, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Summers County, West Virginia, Nathan McCallister, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 101 (located in Hinton, W.Va.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,409.  On June 12, 2015, McCallister pled guilty to one count of felony embezzlement of an amount more than $1,000, in violation of West Virginia Code 61-3-20.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On August 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Mark P. Durinski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 294 (located in Limestone, Maine), was charged in a three-count information with making false statements and entries on LM-Reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On August 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Carolyn Hall, bookkeeper for Laborers Local 1197 (located in McLeansboro, Ill.), pled guilty to embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  On April 23, 2015, Hall was indicted for one count of embezzling $26,491 in union funds.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On August 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Jimmy L. Bynum, Jr., President of American Allied Workers Skilled Trades (AAWST) Local 944 (located in Pembroke Township, Ill.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Maxine Davis, former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.  Davis previously paid restitution in the amount of $4,875.  On July 27, 2015, Davis pled guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 28, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Helen Genal, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of the United Autoworkers (UAW) Fox Valley Area Community Action Program (CAP), located in Oshkosh, Wisc., was charged with one count of embezzling $29,968 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of making a materially false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On July 28, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Estella Collier, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 200 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged in an information with one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  Collier is charged with embezzling $12,933 by writing unauthorized checks payable to herself and her credit union as well as using the union’s bank account to make personal purchases from online merchants.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Maxine Davis, former President of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), was charged with one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  She then pled guilty to the charge.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Tiffany Fawn Randle, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 652 (located in Kalamazoo, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with financial institution fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2), for using the proceeds of forged union checks for personal benefit.  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 23, 2015, in the Clark County, Indiana, Circuit Court, an information was filed against Diana Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 84807 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.), for ten counts of felony forgery, in violation of I.C. 35-43-5-2(b)(1), and one count of felony theft, in violation of I.C. 35-43-4-2(a). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 22, 2015, in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, Jacqueline Askew, a former bookkeeper for Painters District Council 35 (located in Roslindale, Mass.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $40,930 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On July 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shirley Johns, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), pled guilty to one count of false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  She was then sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation and was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.  Johns previously paid restitution in the amount of $7,190.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Howard Royal, former President of Government Security Officers Local 304 (located in Harrisburg, Pa.), was charged and pled guilty to one count of wire fraud resulting in misappropriation of union funds in the amount $66,989.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On July 15, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division, Julie Skaggs, former office manager for International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 372 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), 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 guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On July 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shirley Johns, former Secretary Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 1953 (located in Barksdale, La.), was charged in a one-count information with false statements, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On July 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Raul Mascote, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists Lodge 2458 (located in Minooka, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $62,263 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Curtis Bullick, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3254 (located in Bunker Hill, Ind.), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $2,107 and a special assessment of $25.  On March 31, 2015, Bullick pled guilty to a one-count information for taking away with intent to steal property of another within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On July 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Ira Alper, former Treasurer of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) District 9 (located in Madison, Wis.), was sentenced to four months imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release including six months home detention.  Alper was ordered to pay restitution of $41,568 and a $100 special assessment.  On October 13, 2013, Alper pled 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 Chicago District Office.

On July 1, 2015, in the State of Ohio, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Thomas Wolfer, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84729 (located in Fayetteville, Ohio), was sentenced to three years of community control and ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution plus court costs.  On March 19, 2015, Wolfer pled guilty to one count of felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2).  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office.

On July 1, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Glenn Robert Smith, former comptroller for the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (located in Warren, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $499,087 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On July 1, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Rocco Miranti, Business Manager of Allied Novelty and Production Workers Local 223 (located in New York, N.Y.), Johnnie Miranti, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 223, and Louis Smith, former President of  Teamsters Local 810 (located in Long Island City, N.Y.),  were each charged with one count of conspiring to solicit and receive kickbacks to influence the operation of an employee benefit plan, conspiring to embezzle from an employee benefit plan, and conspiring to commit theft or embezzlement in the amount of $1,000,000.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York Police Department Organized Crime Unit, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On July 1, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Alfonso Rodriguez,  former Secretary-Treasurer for United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 117 (located in Southworth, Wash.), was sentenced to three years of probation and 160 hours of community service and order to pay restitution of $34,601.  On March 20, 2015, Rodriguez pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 29, 2015, in the Bexar County 175th Judicial District Court, Cathy Gaffney, former office secretary for Carpenters Local 14 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was indicted on one count of Theft Between $1,500 and $20,000, in violation of Texas Statute 31.03.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Thomas Flaherty, former member of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), pled guilty to three counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341, for collection of $21,011 in overpaid state unemployment insurance benefits while working as a member of Local 82.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On June 26, 2015, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Juanita Phillips, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Home Care Employees Local 389 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. On September 16, 2014, Phillips pled guilty to one count of grand larceny in the third degree.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On June 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, William Magee, former President of Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 252G (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was sentenced to three years of probation, with six months home detention, and ordered to pay $71,908 in restitution and a $100 assessment.  On February 11, 2015, Magee pled 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 Atlanta-Nashville Office.

On June 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Eric Givens, former Secretary-Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 189 Amtrak Police Labor Committee, the national union representing Amtrak police officers, and an affiliated organization, FOP Lodge 189, (both located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling at least $100,000 from the labor committee and lodge by fraudulently charging personal expenses and by withdrawing cash for personal use. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Jacqueline Askew, a former bookkeeper for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35 (located in Roslindale, Mass.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzling $40,930 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Steven Minella, former President and business agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with misprision of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 4, for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion (18 U.S.C. 1951) by another Local 324 official.  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Earvin, former President of the United Federation of Law Enforcement Officers (UFLEO), a union representing special inspectors employed by the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York City, pled guilty to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, in the amount of $28,012.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On June 19, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Warren Joseph Annunziata, former fund administrator of United Craft and Industrial Workers Local 91 (located in Williston Park, N.Y.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was order to pay $126,858 in forfeiture and a $100,000 fine.  On November 24, 2014, Annunziata pled guilty to a violation of 29 U.S.C. 1111 (persons prohibited from holding certain positions in relation to an employee benefit fund).   The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On June 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Henry Mayer, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 852 (located in Yakima, Wash.), was sentenced to two years of probation.  Mayer paid $16,971 in restitution prior to his sentencing.  On April 1, 2015, Mayer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Helen Herold-Roden, former Secretary-Treasurer for Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 7603 (located in Meridian, Idaho), was charged with and pled guilty to a single count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling over $138,000 from the labor union.  The sentencing is scheduled for September 8, 2015.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Cynthia Gale Angulo, former President of the Currency and Security Handlers Association (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the approximate amount of $61,200, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy Casperson, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 249 (located in Menominee, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $9,650 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b); and one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On June 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Russell Cameron Hill, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 780 (located in New Bern, N.C.), was sentenced to 24 months of probation with home detention for a period not to exceed 180 consecutive days, and was ordered to pay a $1,200 fine and a $100 assessment. On March 11, 2015, Hill pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On June 12, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Summers County, West Virginia, Nathan McCallister, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 101 (located in Hinton, W.V.), pled guilty to one count of felony embezzlement of an amount more than $1,000, in violation of West Virginia Code 61-3-20.  The sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2015. The plea follows an investigation by the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On June 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, John P. Jones, former Financial Secretary for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA) Local 59 (located in Spokane, Wash.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling over $12,000 from the union.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On June 11, 2015, in the Circuit Court of Hancock County, Indiana, Marcia K. Shull, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 661 (located in Greenfield, Ind.), was sentenced to 180 days of house arrest, 550 days of probation, and ordered to pay $168 in fines and costs.  Shull previously paid restitution totaling $18,250.  On May 7, 2015, Shull pled guilty to one count felony forgery, in violation of IRC 35-43-5-2(b)(1). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On June 11, 2015, in the United States Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Pamela Nessen, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 286 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $58,598, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On June 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Florez, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3922 (located in El Paso, Tex.), pled guilty to theft within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction in the amount of $44,878, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On June 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Sergio Rascon, Jr., former bookkeeper assistant for Laborers Local 300 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,417, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On June 8, 2015, in Circuit Court for Prince George’s County, Maryland, Rodney Horne, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 34 (located in Washington, D.C.), pled guilty to one count of theft over $500, in violation of Section 7-104 of the Maryland Criminal Code.  Horne was then sentenced to five years of imprisonment, all of which was suspended, and 36 months of unsupervised probation, and was also ordered to pay $6,045 in restitution.  The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Prince George’s County Police Department.

On June 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Richard Johnson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1433 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged with three counts of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charges relate to an embezzlement scheme that resulted in a loss of $273,489 in union assets.  Johnson then pled guilty to all five counts.  The charges and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On May 26, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Salvatore E. Mauro, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1236 (located in Salisbury, N.C.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $8,831 and a $25 assessment.  On February 9, 2015, Mauro pled guilty to one count of creating a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Sergio Rascon, Jr., former bookkeeper assistant for Laborers Local 300 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $2,417, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On May 21, 2015, in the Buchanan County Circuit Court, Missouri, Dennis Fuston, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 545 (located in St. Joseph, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,768 and a $25 assessment.  On April 16, 2015, Fuston pled guilty to felony theft/stealing (value of property or services is $500 or more but less than $25,000) in violation of RSMO 570.030.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis Office.

On May 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Shiryll Durham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1687 (located in Mountain Home, Tenn.), was sentenced to time served and was ordered to pay restitution of $2,640 and a $25 assessment.  On January 21, 2015, Durham pled guilty to one count of knowingly taking and carrying, with the intent to steal, the personal property of another within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On May 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Aide Spade, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 709 (located in Littleton, Colo.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay restitution of $14,234 plus an additional $5,000 fine.  Spade previously paid $44,935 in restitution.  On October 14, 2014, Spade pled guilty to one count of making and using a false document knowing the same to contain materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and entries, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.

On May 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jesse E. Morgan, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $138,011 and a $100 assessment.  On October 7, 2014, Morgan pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On May 7, 2015, in the Hancock County, Indiana Circuit Court, Marcia K. Shull, former Financial Secretary of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) Local 661 (located in Greenfield, Ind.), pled guilty to one count felony forgery, in violation of IRC 35-43-5-2(b)(1). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati- Cleveland District Office.

On May 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, John P. Jones, former Financial Secretary for United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBCJA) Local 59 (located in Spokane, Wash.), was indicted on a single count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment followed an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On May 4, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Leonard Bridge, II, former business manager for Elevator Constructors Local 131 (located in Albuquerque, N.M.), was sentenced to one year in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $140,877.  On September 2, 2014, Bridge pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $79,526 and a $100 special assessment.  On January 15, 2015, Ratcliff pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 29, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Cynthia Collins, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 12 (located in Athens, Ga.), was sentenced to five years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,345 and a special assessment of $100.  On January 21, 2015, Collins pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On April 27, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Henry Shuler, former Treasurer for United Transportation Union Local 1892 (located in Houston, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and paid restitution in the amount of $40,118.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On April 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,993 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On April 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Carolyn Hall, former bookkeeper for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1197 (located in McLeansboro, Ill.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $26,491 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, John Perry, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to 30 months of prison, one year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $12,500 fine.  On July 13, 2015, Perry was ordered to pay $1,200 in restitution.  On November 19, 2014, Perry was convicted of one count of willfully permitting Joseph Burhoe to serve as a prohibited representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 504.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefit Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On April 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joseph Burhoe, a former representative of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was sentenced to 70 months of prison and three years of supervised release.  On July 13, 2015, Burhoe was ordered to pay $6,695 in restitution.  On November 19, 2014, Burhoe was convicted of one count of willfully serving as a prohibited representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 504.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefit Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On April 17, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Ray L. Lineweber, former legislative director for the United Transportation Union Nebraska State Legislative Board (located in Omaha, Nebr.), was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by an additional four months of electronic monitoring, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $102,907 and a $100 special assessment.  On January 9, 2015, Lineweber pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $102,907 from the union.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Northern Division, Edward Mason, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2274 (located in Saginaw, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with making false statements in an official certificate or writing, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1018.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On April 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of $8,993 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On April 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Richard Molczyk, former Treasurer of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation (SMART) Transportation Division (formerly United Transportation Union) Local 493 (located in Fort Dodge, Iowa), pled guilty to one count of embezzling  union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On April 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, David Deitrick, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 10-1338 (located in Shamokin, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $8,993 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On April 1, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Henry Mayer, former Financial Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 852 (located in Yakima, Wash.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 31, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend, Curtis Bullick, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3254 (located in Bunker Hill, Ind.), pled guilty to a one-count information for taking away with the intent to steal property of another within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The sentencing is scheduled for July 7, 2015.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Assane Faye, the founder and National President of the United Security Police Officers Association (USPOA), located in Washington, DC, was charged in an indictment with two counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C 501(c), and seven counts of unemployment fraud, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1341.   Faye was charged with embezzling over $300,000 from the union beginning in 2010.  The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On March 30, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John Earvin, former President of the United Federation of Law Enforcement Officers (UFLEO), located in Bellerose, N.Y., was charged in an indictment with wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, for allegedly using an ATM card to make hundreds of cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account for personal use and defrauding the union of approximately $48,012.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.

On March 26, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Michael Low, former Secretary Treasurer of Laborers Local 2097 (located in Oklahoma City, Okla.), was charged and pled guilty to a one-count information of making a false statement to a federal agency, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, for embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,937.  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, Henry Mayer, former Financial Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 852 (located in Yakima, Wash.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Choi Hawks, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was sentenced to six months of home detention, five years of supervised probation, and was ordered to attend financial counseling and fraud counseling, and have a mental health evaluation.  Hawks previously paid full restitution of $11,196.  On December 17, 2014, Hawks pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On March 25, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Andrea Hobgood, former secretary for Ironworkers Local 58 (located in New Orleans, La.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $3,600 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  Hobgood previously paid $14,039 in restitution.  On March 12, 2014, Hobgood pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 20, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Alfonso Rodriguez, former Financial Secretary of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 117 (located in Southworth, Wash.), pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and accepted responsibility while also agreeing to pay restitution in the amount of $34,601.  The sentencing is set for June 5, 2015.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 19, 2015, in the State of Ohio, Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Thomas Wolfer, former Financial Secretary of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84729 (located in Fayetteville, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of 5th degree felony theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2).  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Hamilton County, Ohio Sheriff’s Office.

On March 18, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Elmer Ray Booker, former Financial Secretary of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1530 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling over $42,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend, Curtis Bullick, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3254 (located in Bunker Hill, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information for taking away with the intent to steal property of another within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On March 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennifer Gent, former office manager for Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 12, Industry of Western Pennsylvania Joint Apprenticeship Training Fund (JATF), located in Pittsburgh, Pa., was sentenced to three years of probation with the first 10 months served as home detention.  Gent was also ordered to pay total restitution of $30,297 at a rate of not less than 10% of gross monthly earnings with the first payment due within 30 days.  Gent must also pay for the cost of electronic monitoring during home detention.  On April 23, 2014, Gent pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union training funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On March 10, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Alfonso Rodriguez, former Financial Secretary of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 117 (located in Southworth, Wash.), was indicted on one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On March 6, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Juan ‘Alex’ Cedeno, former President of Steelworkers Local 4-318 (located in Edison, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The investigation disclosed that from April 2009 through October 2011, Cedeno embezzled $93,965 in union and health & welfare funds.  Cedeno filed false LM reports in connection with the embezzlement of union funds.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.

On March 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Timothy Sanchez, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 906 (located in Topeka, Kans.), was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment followed by one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution of $50,156.  On September 12, 2014, Sanchez pled guilty to one count of Interstate Transportation of Money Obtained by Fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On March 4, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael Trembulak, former President of Utility Workers Local 475 (located in Rochester, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $31,528, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On March 4, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Shreveport Division, Gregory J. Hill, Jr., former Vice President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), was charged in a nine-count indictment.  Hill was charged with one count of aiding and abetting an embezzlement of over $12,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2; one count of conspiracy to forge securities and embezzle money from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371; and seven counts of uttering forged checks, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 4, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Shreveport Division, Danny L. Rawls, former member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2297 (formerly located in Shreveport, La.), was charged in a nine-count indictment.  Rawls was charged with one count of aiding and abetting an embezzlement of over $12,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 2; three counts of uttering forged checks in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and one count of conspiracy to forge securities and embezzle money from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On March 3, 2015, in the Summers County Court of West Virginia, Nathan McCallister, former Secretary-Treasurer of Locomotive Engineers, IBT, Division 101 (located in Talcott, W.Va.), was charged in a one-count indictment with felony embezzlement of an amount more than $1,000, which shall have come into possession, or been placed under his care or management, by virtue of his office, place or employment in violation of West Virginia Code 61-3-20.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.

On March 3, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Jeffrey Jones, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $7,649.  On November 20, 2014, Jones pled 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 Washington District Office.

On March 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern Illinois, Kimberly Hesla, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 474 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $25.  On November 4, 2014, Hesla pled guilty to one count of a false statement in a labor union financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On 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 Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.

On February 26, 2015, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Hardin County Circuit Court, Thomas Wilson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Association of Civilian Technicians Chapter 83 (located in Fort Knox, Ky.), was charged in a one-count indictment for felony theft by unlawful taking over $10,000.  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Defense, Criminal Investigative Service.

On February 24, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, David Hart, former Financial Secretary/Business Agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of misprision of a felony (18 U.S.C. 4) for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion by another Local 324 official (18 U.S.C. 1951).  The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On February 23, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Henry Shuler, former Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1892 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On February 18, 2015, in the Buchanan County, Missouri Judicial Court, Dennis Fuston, former business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 545 (located in St. Joseph, Mo.), was charged with theft of union funds (more than $500 and less than $25,000), in violation of RS:MO 570.030, a Class C Felony.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On February 18, 2015, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Washington County, a criminal complaint was filed charging Rae Dawn Grillo, former Treasurer of the Charleroi Area Education Association (CAEA), an affiliate of the NEA/PSEA, located in Charleroi, Pa.,with one felony count of Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition and two felony counts of Theft by Deception, in violation of 18 Pa. Criminal Code 3921(a) and 3922(a)(1) respectively.  Grillo embezzled $65,963 in association funds.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On February 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, David Hart, former Financial Secretary/Business Agent of International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 324 (located in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), was charged in a one-count information with one count of misprision of a felony (18 U.S.C. 4) for failing to report to appropriate authorities the commission of extortion by another Local 324 official (18 U.S.C. 1951).  The charge follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On February 11, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Western Division, William Magee, former President of Bakery, Tobacco & Grain Local 252 (located in Memphis, Tenn.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $74,388, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing is scheduled for June 5, 2015.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On February 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Shiryll Durham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1687 (located in Mountain Home, Tenn.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud in the amount of $2,651, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  The sentencing is scheduled for May 18, 2015.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville Office.

On January 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Evelyn Romero, President of United Industrial and Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was charged in a 39-count indictment for conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371); theft in connection with health care totaling $158,709 (18 U.S.C. 669); embezzlement of union funds totaling $4,282 (29 U.S.C. 501(c)); violating the prohibition against certain persons holding office (29 U.S.C. 504); and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Employment Benefits and Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, John S. Romero, Sr., former President, and John J. Romero, Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of United Industrial and Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., were charged in a 30-count indictment for conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371); theft in connection with health care totaling $158,709 (18 U.S.C. 669); false statement on Form LM-3 (18 U.S.C. 1001); and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Employment Benefits and Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Danae Romero, Trustee of the United Industrial and Service Workers of America (UISWA), located in Colton, Calif., was charged in a 29-count indictment for conspiracy (18 U.S.C. 371); theft in connection with health care totaling $158,709 (18 U.S.C. 669); and aiding and abetting (18 U.S.C. 2).  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Employment Benefits and Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 21, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia, Athens Division, Cynthia Collins, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 12 (located in Athens, Ga.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ann Marie Shaffer, former dues clerk for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $340,267 and a $100 special assessment.  On August 7, 2014, Shaffer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On January 15, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $79,526, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On January 13, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, an information was filed against Salvatore E. Mauro, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1236 (located in Salisbury, N.C.), charging him with one count of creating a false report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  On January 14, 2015, Mauro pled guilty to the information.  The indictment and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On January 13, 2015, in the Perry County Court of Common Pleas, Brian Stoneburner, former Treasurer for Bricklayers Local 44 (located in Newark, Ohio), was sentenced to 90 days of incarceration, five years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to make full restitution of $13,235.  On November 4, 2014, Stoneburner pled guilty to one count of grand theft.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 12, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Cedric Hughes, former Treasurer of the United Union of Professionals (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to probation for five years and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,193, a fine of $2,000, and a special assessment of $100.  On September 8, 2014, Hughes pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.

On January 9, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Ray L. Lineweber, former legislative director for the United Transportation Union Nebraska State Legislative Board (located in Omaha, Neb.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $102,907 in union funds.  On November 19, 2013, Lineweber was indicted on one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; and 15 counts of false records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On January 8, 2015, in the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, a criminal complaint was filed charging Maria Del Cupolo, former bookkeeper for Plasterers and Cement Masons Local 300 (located in Oakland, Calif.), with five felony counts, including one count of Grand Theft with an excessive loss of over $65,000, and four counts of money laundering, in violation of California Penal Code 487(a) and 186.10(a) respectively.  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On January 8, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Robert Mays, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 561 (located in Lancaster, Ohio), was sentenced to probation for three years, 208 hours of community service, and was ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $24,833.  On September 12, 2014, Mays pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 7, 2015, in the McCracken County, Kentucky Circuit Court, David Lynch, former President and Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 383 (located in Paducah, Ky.), was sentenced to three years of incarceration (suspended to 30 days in county jail while on work release) and a minimum of two years of probation with probation continuing until restitution of $15,805 is paid in full.  On October 14, 2014, Lynch pled guilty to felony theft by unlawful taking of more than $500 but less than $10,000.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On January 7, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Jonathan Smith, former Financial Secretary of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 2247 (located in Juneau, Alaska), was sentenced to four months of home detention, five years of probation, 250 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $41,770.  On August 8, 2014, Smith pled guilty to a single count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.

On January 5, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dale T. Hull, former Secretary-Treasurer for Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 261 (located in Herington, Kans.), was sentenced to time served, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,189 and a fine of $2,500.  On September 29, 2014, Hull pled guilty to a single count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On December 11, 2014, in the 10th District Court of Calhoun County, Michigan, a criminal complaint was filed charging Edward Feld, former President of Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 374 (located in Battle Creek, Mich.), with one count of felony embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On December 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Anthony Davis, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 314 (located in Hazelwood, Mo.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $42,119 and a $100 assessment.  On September 11, 2014, Davis was found guilty by jury trial of one count of embezzlement, in violation 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis Office.

On December 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Paul Florez, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3922 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was charged in a one-count indictment for taking away with the intent to steal property of another within special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661, in the amount of $59,709.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On December 8, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, after a two-month jury trial, Paul Stewart, former Vice President of the Detroit Police Officers Association (located in Detroit, Mich.), was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud through bribes and kickbacks.  The evidence at trial showed that Detroit’s two retirement systems lost more than $97 million on pension deals corrupted by bribes and kickbacks taken or paid by Stewart and his co-defendants in return for votes on investment decisions made by the boards of trustees of the two pension systems, of which Stewart was a member.  During the conspiracy, Stewart accepted more than $48,000 in cash, trips, meals, drinks, and other things of value in return for his support on pension deals proposed by the givers of the bribes.  Stewart is scheduled to be sentenced on April 21, 2015.  The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.

On November 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, Terry Thomas, former President of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU), IBT Local 231M (located in Memphis, Tenn.), was sentenced to five months of home confinement, one year of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $35,747 and a fine of $25.  On July 15, 2014, Thomas pled guilty to one count of willfully withholding a record required to be kept by the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville Office.

On November 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Milton Hilliard, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 287 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 180 days of home confinement with electronic monitoring, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $34,612 and a fine of $4,000.  On August 28, 2014, Hilliard pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 24, 2014, in the Eastern District of New York, Warren Joseph Annunziata pled guilty to violating 29 U.S.C. 1111 (persons prohibited from holding certain positions related to an employee benefit fund).  In 2011, Annunziata was sentenced to prison for his participation in an extortion scheme, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1951, following a DOL investigation of his activities while the fund administrator for the plans of the United Craft and Industrial Workers Local Union 91, an independent union located in Williston Park, N.Y., that represents primarily school bus drivers and matrons.  The current plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On November 24, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Jennifer Gent, former office manager for Sheet Metal Workers (SMW) Local 12, Industry of Western Pennsylvania Joint Apprenticeship Training Fund (JATF), located in Pittsburgh, Pa., pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging her with embezzling $30,297, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664.  The sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2015.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On November 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Jeffrey Jones, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $7,649 from the union.  The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 20, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Pamela Nessen, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 286 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was charged in a one-count indictment for embezzling $58,598 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The indictment was sealed until Nessen self-surrendered on January 12, 2015.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On November 19, 2014, in the 299th District Court of Travis County, Texas, Richard McCullough, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), was charged with Felony Theft in the value of $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 19, 2014, in the 299th District Court of Travis County Texas, Jessica  McCullough, former Chief Steward of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6132 (located in Austin, Tex.), was charged with Felony Theft in the value of $1,500 or more, but less than $20,000, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, after six days of jury deliberation and a seven week trial, John Perry, former President of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was found guilty of multiple counts of Hobbs Act extortion, extortion conspiracy, racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.  Perry was also found guilty of one count of willfully permitting Joseph Burhoe to serve in a prohibited union position as a representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 504.  Perry is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2015.  The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On November 19, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, after six days of jury deliberation and a seven week trial, Joseph Burhoe, a former Representative of International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 82 (located in South Boston, Mass.), was convicted of multiple counts of Hobbs Act extortion, extortion conspiracy, racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.  Burhoe was also convicted of one count of willfully serving in a prohibited union position as a representative of Teamsters Local 82, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 504.  Burhoe is scheduled to be sentenced on February 26, 2015.  Burhoe also has a separate pending trial based on his being charged with three counts of mail fraud for being overpaid unemployment insurance benefits.  The guilty verdict follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Boston Police Department.

On November 18, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Raymond Norville, former New Jersey contractor and owner of RLL Unique Homes Inc., was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $98,600 in restitution.  On June 11, 2014, Norville pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  Authorities charged that Norville stole at least $100,000 from International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1233 (located in Newark, N.J.).  In addition, Norville defrauded a home owner of nearly $100,000 for materials that he neither delivered to the work site nor provided proof that he had purchased.  The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor.

On November 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Sharon Ratcliff, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6150 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was charged in an information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On November 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Choi Hawks, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $10,744 from the union.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On November 10, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Reda Overton, former Executive Secretary to the General Chairman of the Locomotive Engineers, IBT, GCA 4 (located in Independence, Ky.), was sentenced to 18 months of imprisonment, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $206,056 and a $100 special assessment.  On May 20, 2014, Overton pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On November 5, 2014, in the Adams County Wisconsin District Court, Christopher Zawikowski, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3495 (located in Grand Marsh, Wis.), pled no contest to one count of theft in a business setting of less than $2,500, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b), and was then sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,400.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On November 4, 2014, in the Perry County Ohio Court of Common Pleas, Brian K. Stoneburner, former Treasurer for Bricklayers Local 44 (located in Newark, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $13,235.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On November 4, 2014, in the United States District Court for South Dakota, Southern Division, Susan Haugen, former Treasurer of South Dakota Postal Workers Union (located in Huron, S.D.), was charged in a three-count indictment with embezzling union funds in the amount of $36,309, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.

On November 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Kimberly Hesla, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 474 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to filing a false report with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Michael E. Sewell, the owner and operator of MESCO, a contractor that did business with International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24 (located in Baltimore, Md.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $89,222.  On August 27, 2014, Sewell pled guilty to one count of falsifying a document required to be kept by ERISA, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1027, for knowingly underreporting the hours of work for MESCO employees in documents required to be kept under ERISA as part of the records of employee welfare benefit plans and employee pension benefit plans.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jeremy Bolte, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWE) Lodge 800 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), was charged in an information and pled guilty to 10 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. Section 501(c).  The charge and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 27, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Kimberly Hesla, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 474 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was charged in an information with filing a false report with the Secretary of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The charge follows an investigation by OLMS Chicago District Office.

On October 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Rena Opre, former Secretary-Treasurer for Workers United, SEIU Local 323 (located in Toledo, Ohio), was sentenced to a $250 fine and $25 special assessment.  On May 14, 2014, Opre pled guilty to filing a false report with the Department of Labor, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On October 15, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, an indictment was filed against Shiryll L. Durham, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1687 (located in Mountain Home, Tenn.), charging her with two counts of mail fraud totaling $2,651, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On October 14, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Aide Spade, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 709 (located in Littleton, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of making and using a false document knowing the same to contain materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent statements and entries, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001(a)(3).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office and the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General.

On October 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Mary Grace Gossett, former office assistant for Bakery Workers Local 26 (located in Denver, Colo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $41,622 and a $300 assessment.  On July 17, 2014, Gossett pled guilty to three counts of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 7, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Jesse E. Morgan, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1707 (located in Kansas City, Mo.), pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343.  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On October 6, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, Jeffrey Jones, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 6066 (located in Chesapeake, Va.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), for embezzling $7,649 from the union.  The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On October 1, 2014, in District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County, Rodney Horne, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 34 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged with theft of $500 or more, in violation of Maryland Criminal Law Section 7-104, for stealing $4,525 from the union.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.

On September 30, 2014, in the 71st District Court of Harrison County Texas, Jerry Ragster, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3057 (located in Marshall, Tex.), pled guilty to Felony Theft, in violation of Texas Penal Code Section 31.03 (e)(4)(A), and signed a six-month deferred adjudication order.  Ragster also paid full restitution of $3,372.  On November 21, 2013, Ragster was indicted for theft of $3,372 in union funds, in violation of Texas Penal Code 31.03.  The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 30, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Patricia Moore, former employee and Secretary-Treasurer of the National Union of Protective Services Associations (NUPSA), located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 150 days home confinement with electronic monitoring (some exceptions for movement), four years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay restitution of $107,346 and a $100 assessment.  On October 27, 2011, Moore pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud from NUPSA and the National Union of Law Enforcement Associations, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.

On September 29, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Dale Hull, former Secretary-Treasurer for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 261 (located in Herington, Kans.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 25, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Amy Atherton, former bookkeeper for Laborers Local 366 (located in Sheffield, Ala.), was sentenced to six months of confinement, six months of home detention, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $174,283.  On June 17, 2014, Atherton pled guilty to one count providing false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.

On September 22, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Robert Vargeson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 88329 (located in Gaines, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $6,013 in restitution.  On April 24, 2014, Vargeson pled guilty to making false entries in required union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.

On September 19, 2014, in the County Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska, Mark Whetstone, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3928 (located in Lincoln, Neb.), was sentenced to 18 months of probation and was ordered to pay $4,811 in restitution, a $59 fine, and $630 in fees.  On May 13, 2014, Whetstone pled no contest and was found guilty of one count of theft by deception, in violation of Nebraska Revised Statute 28-512.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 19, 2014, in the Greene County, Missouri Circuit Court, Jackie Nutter, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers Local 15485 (located in Springfield, Mo.), was charged with theft for stealing $12,284 in union funds, in violation of RS:MO 570.030, a class C felony.  The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.

On September 17, 2014, in the Hancock County, Indiana Circuit Court, an information was filed against Marcia K. Shull, former Financial Secretary of United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America Local 661 (located in Greenfield, Ind.), for one count of felony theft, in violation of IRC 35-43-4-2(a), and one count of felony forgery, in violation of IRC 35-43-5-2(b)(1).  The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.

On September 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, JC Stamps, former Executive Director and Founder of the National Union of Protective Services Associations (NUPSA) and the National Union of Law Enforcement Associations (NULEA), both located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to nine months of confinement in a community correctional facility, three years of supervised probation, 100 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution of $192,091.  On June 23, 2014, Stamps pled guilty to theft from an employee benefit plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664, for embezzling from the two unions and NUPSA’s health and welfare fund.  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.

On September 17, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Jeanine Breaux, former secretary/bookkeeper for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 1846 (located in Metairie, La.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $82,414 and a $100 special assessment.  On March 12, 2014, Breaux pled guilty to a one-count bill of information with embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.

On September 16, 2014, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Juanita Phillips, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 389 – Home Care Employees (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty during her trial to one count of grand larceny in the third degree.  The sentencing is scheduled f