OnDecember 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for theSouthern District of Mississippi, Dale Holifield, formerFinancial Secretary TreasurerofUnited Food and Commercial Workers Local 982C(located inPearl, Miss. (Lead Investigator Andrea Welhouse). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. In just the past two years, more than 300 union locations have discovered theft, often resulting in more than one person charged in each instance, the records show. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. Embezzlement is an action where a person takes in money for a business or other entity, and instead of putting it into the correct account, keeps it for themselves. On August 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York Norma Fanning, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 503 (located in Ogdensburg, N.Y.) was sentenced to one-year probation, 100 hours of community service and fined $1,000. Tulsa, OK 74119, Phone:(918) 382-2700 The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Postal Services Office of Inspector General. The AEA is the local union for Arlington public school educators. On June 11, 2009, in the Montgomery County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Monica Smalls, former Treasurer of AFGE Local 2209 (located in Dayton, Ohio), was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $3,790, and required to attend the Montgomery County Theft Counseling Program. On Feb. 17, a former member was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution of $3,208 after pleading guilty to lying to an investigator. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office and the U.S. Elliott was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and ordered to pay assessments and fees of $594. A former labor union president was sentenced in federal court for embezzling close to $20,000 from the union, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. 110 W. 7th Street Casesinvolved unions representing nurses, aerospace engineers, firefighters, teachers, film and TV artists, air traffic controllers, musicians, bus inspectors, bakery workers, roofers, postal workers, machinists, ironworkers,steelworkers, dairy workers, plasterers, train operators, plumbers, stagehands, engineers, electricians, heat insulators, missile range workers andbricklayers. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. Brown was then sentenced to three years probation and 30 days of electronic home monitoring and ordered to make restitution in an amount yet to be determined. On August 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Erica Alda Perez, former secretary and bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 9144 (located in San Jose, Calif.), pled guilty to making a false statement in a union record. Ironically, the jobs he strong-armed were for friends and family members, some of whom werent even union members. On April 1, 2003, Martin was convicted of mail fraud and theft from a labor organization. Last updated on: November 14, 2021, 11:59h. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $7,468.19. The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) opened an investigation after an internal audit by Steelworkers Local 145 revealed a loss of union funds. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. How to File a Complaint Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. West previously made full restitution in the amount of $650.Subsequently, West was sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended) and a fine of $20 plus court costs. 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. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. Former Dance School Comptroller Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Million Fraud On September 4, 2009, in the Huron County (Mich.) District Court, a felony complaint was filed charging Christine Pawlowski, former Financial Secretary of Auto Workers Local 812 (located in Harbor Beach, Mich.), with one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. On October 9, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joyce Marsalis, former Treasurer of the University of Chicago local unit of the Illinois Nurses Association (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of willfully making a false entry in union records. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. On January 7, 2009, Bruno pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. This accusation is a dire situation that could result in the loss of your job, the potential of having a difficult time finding a job in the future, fines, and even a prison sentence. U.S. Department of Labor documents obtained by the Free Press show embezzlementfrom hundreds of union offices nationwideover the past decade. Texas charter network fires leaders after an investigation reveals .usa-footer .grid-container {padding-left: 30px!important;} Assistant U.S. Union FactsUnion Facts The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. You also can email OLMS-Public@dol.gov or call 202-693-0143 with your complaint or questions. Hernandez did not respond to a Twitter message seeking comment and calls to phone number for Hernadez and Moscoso went unanswered. Subsequently, Holmes was sentenced to five years in prison, suspended, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $6,350. In February 2017, the business manager of Washington, D.C.s Laborers Local 657 was sentenced to four years in prison. and NAGE -SEIU Local 01-25 (located in Brockton, Mass. On February 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Christina Geathers, former Financial Secretary/Treasurer ofSteelworkers Local 357 (located in Georgetown, S.C.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $36,865 and two counts of filing false LM-3 reports. Unions are not unique, said Peter Henning, a former federal prosecutor who teaches law at Wayne State University. On October 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Norman Joseph Stefanik, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1450 (located in Watertown, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year and one day imprisonment and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $46,013. Omaha Sports Academy founder accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars Alia Conley Omaha World-Herald Jun 30, 2021 0 Bob Franzese runs The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Also, Elliot made restitution in the amount of $24,000. Thecharges follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. (Photo Credit: UAW Local 412) Timothy Edmunds, 53, has been charged in a criminal Complaint with the embezzlement of union funds during a 10-year period, stretching from 2011 to 2021, according to Saima S. Mohsin, the acting U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. On March 31, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Michael St. John, former Secretary Treasurer of Glass Molders Local 30 (located in Festus, Mo. (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), pled guilty to one count of willful concealment and destruction of required union records. And it takes a while to uncover, McCormicksaid. A locked padlock The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. Or you can peruse the Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) Annual Report, which highlights the most significant enforcement actions against union officers and employees each year. The office will continue to file the appropriate criminal charges and to seek the most serious penalties, including jail time, restitution, and the forfeiture of criminal profits, that are supported by the evidence.. The sentencing follows an investigation conducted by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. .manual-search ul.usa-list li {max-width:100%;} On April 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former administrative assistant and bookkeeper of AFGE Local 1923, was indicted on one count of theft within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States and one count of aiding and abetting. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. On August 11, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Christina Geathers, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 357 (located in Georgetown, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling approximately $36,865.18. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. On November 17, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Joseph J. Morana, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) SEIU Local01-86 (located in West Roxbury, Mass.) Every penny we have comes from the 5,000 hardworking men and women, he said. On June 9, 2008, the Department of Labor informed Kupau of his prohibition from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. On October 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Donald Spell, former office employee for Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 12 (formerly located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to embezzling union funds totaling $16,422. On September 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tarris D. Dallas, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-415 (located in Fernandina Beach, Fla.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $104,713.45 and pay a special court fee of $100. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. On March 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Cassandra Mosley, former Business Agent of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and theft from a labor organization and one count of embezzlement from a labor organization.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service. She is UA family to us and we want her to remain as Headmaster leading our school as she has been monumental in all UA has achieved over the last several years. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 assessment. On August 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Gary Barner, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 518 (located in Rome, Ga.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in excess of $10,000 between August 4, 2004 and September 13, 2006. "Over the last several months, we have been under a magnifying glass, and rightfully so. On March 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Kenneth L. Holman, former Secretary-Treasurer of Retail, Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 665 (located in Ishpeming, Mich.), was sentenced to pay restitution in the amount of $2,798.64 and a $25 special assessment.On February 12, 2009, Holman pled guilty to one count of making a false statement or representation of material fact on an annual financial report filed by Local 665.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. .paragraph--type--html-table .ts-cell-content {max-width: 100%;} 2023 www.freep.com. Ann Marie Shaffer, 57, of Livonia was sentenced toa year in prison after admitting to embezzling $101,059.56 in 2008-10. On August 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Donna Caltabiano, former President of AFSCME Local 888 (located in Catskill, N.Y.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation and ordered to make restitution of $23,644.76. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. As part of his plea, Garza admitted he awarded a $280,000 no-bid contract to Ahmed Bokaiyan. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,100. On December 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Thomas Jon Witham, former Financial Secretary of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 106-D (located in Mason City, Iowa) was sentenced to 21 months in prison for one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $52,037.19. The Rise of Embezzlement in Unions Around the U.S. Their conviction was for defrauding the union out of three million dollars. On November 5, 2009, in the City and County of Denver District Court, Denver, Colorado, Sherri Pemberton, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1802 (located in Denver, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of theft. Have a question about Government Services? On June 8, 2009,Brownlee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,221.30. ), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. On June 26, 2009, in the City Court of Geneva, New York, Bradley Steinruck, former President of Steelworkers Local 828 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), was sentenced to seven days imprisonment, five years of probation, and 200 hours of community service. On May 8, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeffrey C. Harris, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Glass Molders and Plastics Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind. On July 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Michael Kelly, former Secretary-Treasurer for the United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Crestline, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. On April 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donna J. Simpson, former secretary for the Steelworkers District 10 office (located in North Versailles, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $87,823.18. On December 7, 2009, in the Circuit Court of Marion County, Kentucky, Mark Owens, former Financial Secretary of Machinists Local Lodge 366W (located in Lebanon, Ky.), was charged with theft by unlawful taking in the amount of $200.00. Walston, Bania and Mosley were ordered to pay restitution totaling $900,936. /*-->*/. Plus, they have to pay back 1,632,00 in restitution. On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maine, Brian Wheeler, former Treasurer of Painters Local 1468 (located in Brentwood, N.H.), was sentenced to five years probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5, 000, a $5,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The complaint alleges she directed nearly $12,000 in campaign money to her husband for campaign food services that he never provided. On October 30, 2008, Steinruck had pled guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree for taking union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General. On September 2, 2011, Ford pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. On April 7, 2009,in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Constantine Vafias, a contractor, was sentenced to three years probation, 300 hours of community service, forfeiture of $100,000, and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution. For the UAW, its two biggest cases involved members working hand-in-hand with corrupt auto industry executives. It was hard to believe she was stealing from us. And its used effectively to damage unions politically.. The sentencing and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Thomas Jerome Burkhart, Jr., 59, of Sapulpa, to three years of probation and ordered him to pay restitution to the labor union in the amount of $19,900. On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to one count of receipt of improper loans from a labor organization. div#block-eoguidanceviewheader .dol-alerts p {padding: 0;margin: 0;}