On July 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donna J. Simpson, former secretary of Steelworkers District 10 (located in North Versailles, Pa.), was sentenced to six months incarceration, six months home detention, two years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution of $84,065.14. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. On January 14, 2009, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Jeffrey Baker, former co-chairman of the Picket Committee for Machinists Local Lodge 1943 (located in Middletown, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record. It should be a daily concern for business owners, said Amy Buben, a certified fraud examiner with Yeo & Yeo CPAs & Business Consultants, which works with the Michigan Small Business Association. Rodriguez was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment and two years of supervised release. Pearson was On September 23, 2008, Margaritis pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. Contact Phoebe Wall Howard:313-222-6512 or phoward@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @phoebesaid. What Should You Do If Suspected of Embezzlement? Gina Balaya, public information officer with the U.S. Attorneys Office in theEastern District of Michigan, said, The U.S. Attorneys Office works closely with the Department of Labor, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute significant financial crimes committed in this district, including fraud and embezzlement. ), pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. On June 3, 2009, in the 79th District Court of Mason County, Michigan, Kimberly Drake, former Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3466 (located in Ludington, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more but less than $1,000. Since 2001, there have been more than 2,000 union racketeering indictments and $3 billion levied in fines and restitutions. On October 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Harold C. Ullum, former Vice-President and West Virginia District Manager of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters, Ind., West Virginia District (located in Parkersburg, W.Va.), was sentenced to six months home detention, five years probation, and payment of a $20,000 fine plus a $100 special assessment. 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 May 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Joseph Michael Johnson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Union Lodge 687 (located in Charleston Heights, S.C.), was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment, three years supervised release and was ordered to pay a $100 fine. 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. On September 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanne R. Brophy, former office manager for Ironworkers Local 379 (located in Lafayette, Ind. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office. On June 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Keith W. Hart, Jr., former Financial Secretary of Bakery Workers (BCTGM) Local 315G (formerly located in Mt. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office. A locked padlock The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On August 10, 2009, Tungett was charged in an information with one count of destruction of union records. In addition to those crimes, the DOLs Office of Inspector General (OIG) has investigated numerous cases of labor racketeering and organized crimes influence within the labor movement. Usually, its the treasurer, bookkeeper or president actions that come to light. On July 23, 2009, in the Superior Court for Clark County, Indiana, Joseph E. Clegg, former President of American Postal Workers Local 753 (located in Jeffersonville, Ind.) On September 10, 2009, in the Criminal District Court Number 6, Dallas County, Texas, Janice Muriel Williams, wife of Bobby Earl Williams, former president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1635 (formerly located in Dallas, Texas), pled guilty to check forgery. Its a perception that some union officials like to perpetuate. Dr. Walters has been instrumental in our childrens lives and at Union Academy. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. In one such case, the union was taking money for one legitimate purpose and stealing it to purchase personal gifts. On March 12, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Larry Ramsey, former secretary-treasurer of the Representatives and Organizers Union (located in St. Louisville, Ohio), pled guilty to embezzling $163,222 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. "She was personable and bubbly. On February 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Mary Schaeuble, Chair of the Insurance Committee of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a $200 special assessment and to make restitution in the amount of $4,000.On November 25, 2008, Schaeuble pled guilty to two counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $730.94.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. On November 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, an information was filed charging David Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La. On November 18, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Sonia McGuire, former-treasurer of America Postal Workers Union, Local 3434, (Decatur, Ga.), plead guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,023.12. On August 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Michael R. Rhoades, former Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers Local 88667 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On September 24, 2009, Wuest pled guilty to a charge of concealment or destruction of union records. Have you been accused of embezzlement in a union? The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Office. The investigation included members of the attorney general's office, the Employment Development Department, the Franchise Tax Board and the Fair Political Practices Commission, which is the state's campaign finance watchdog. We wish Dr. Walters the very best of luck and thank her for her many years of service to Union Academy, a statement from the Board Chair read. In conclusion, the first thing that you need to do is to seek legal counsel thats familiar with the prosecution of this crime. On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. The indictment follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Department of Labors Employee Benefits Security Administration. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office. On March 4, 2009, Welch was indicted on one count of embezzlement from a non-profit/charitable organization between $1,000 and $20,000. Williams was charged in a criminal information, which means a guilty plea is expected. On Dec. 5, a former president in Danville, Ill., was indicted for embezzling $19,482. On April 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Belinda K. Woods, former President of Communications Workers Local 84-415 (located in Grand Rapids, Mich.), was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $10,988.86 and one count of falsifying union records. On October 7, 2009, in Goodhue County (Minnesota) District Court, a felony complaint was filed charging Michelle Adler, former Secretary-Treasurer of Government Security Officers Local 24 (located in Lake City, Minn.), with one count of theft of more than $1,000, but not more than $5,000. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. On January 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Eugene Huss, former Area Vice President of Steelworkers Local 20 (located in Kaukauna, Wis.), was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $2,000 and pay a $100 fine. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On September 28, 2009, Pawlowski pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. Acosta is accused ofpermittingineligible participants to remain on the union's health care plan. ), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,100. 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. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. On February 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Roberta Dauch, former office secretary of the North Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council (located in Sandusky, Ohio), was sentenced to four years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $27,537.On September 8, 2008, Dauch pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. On December 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Ira Sokol, a former school bus inspector for the New York City Department of Education, was sentenced to two years probation including six months home confinement, ordered to pay a fine of $10,000, and make restitution in the amount of $5,000 following a guilty plea to conspiracy to accept bribes in an industry receiving federal funds. Brown, former President of Federation of Teachers Local 5095 (located in Butte, Mont. Hundreds of union officials have been indicted for other crimes that victimize union members, such as filing false reports, keeping false records, destruction of records, extortionate picketing and deprivation of rights by violence. On February 5, 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.) She is scheduled to be sentenced May 1. Smalls was indicted on April 10, 2009. Copyright 2019 WBTV. They were convicted of stealing 1,072,660 dollars from the union that they used to purchase toys, shoes, clothing, food, gas, entertainment expenses, and home improvement products. Like Jimmy the Bull, the crimes dont stop with On January 29, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Carl W. White, former Treasurer of IATSE Local 251 (located in Madison, Wis.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $85,963.31. On February 4, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Keith H. Cook, former Secretary Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 620 (located in Chicago, Ill.), was sentenced to twelve months and one day imprisonment for embezzlement of union funds, ten months imprisonment for making a false entry in union records, three years supervised release for embezzlement of union funds, and one year supervised release for making a false entry in union records (to run concurrently). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. A Maryland woman who gambled away nearly $1.5 million in funds from the elite dance school where she served as comptroller pleaded guilty to fraud in U.S. District Court Detroit Federal prosecutors charged a local United Auto Workers official Wednesday with embezzling more than $2 million in union funds, money laundering and On April 17, 2009, Fortier pled guilty to a two-count information charging him with making false entries in union records. Lock 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. The final of four charged in connection with the theft of $200,000 from a bank in Houston and allegedly transferred to New York has turned herself in to authorities, A 38-year-old resident of Richmond has been charged for operating as a money mule as part of her involvement in a nationwide romance fraud scheme, A 61-year-old man has been sent to federal prison following his conviction of money laundering as well as conspiracy to commit and committing wire fraud, Southern District of Texas On June 19, 2009, Elsezy had pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), was sentenced to four years probation, 200 hours community service, and ordered to pay $12,904.56 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On June 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Kathleen Fonti, former President of Health Professionals & Allied Employees (HPAE) Local 5030 (located in Emerson, N.J.), pled guilty to improperly receiving loans in excess of $14,500. The union represents more than 700,000 workers - including nearly 60,000 Northern California workers through its Local 1021, and is politically influential, regularly donating millions to Democratic candidates. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 23. ol{list-style-type: decimal;} If I would mail my dues to her, my receipt would come back with a little note saying she hoped all is good and maybe it had stickers on it. On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Joseph Moon Jr., former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1626, pled guilty to a criminal information for one count of improper loans from a labor organization. On November 5, 2009, in the City and County of Denver District Court, Denver, Colorado, Sherri Pemberton, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1802 (located in Denver, Colo.), pled guilty to one count of theft. On August 12, 2008, Rhoades was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $8,001.86 between June 2006 and November 2006. In addition to the UAW, federal records show the biggest embezzlement cases resulting in criminal charges during the past decade have unfolded in the court system over the past threeyears: Embezzlement cases are often discovered by unions or during routine audits. Another group hit hard by embezzlement are churches. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. Many times, the embezzlement has been going on for years before discovery. The information follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. He was further ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and restitution in the amount of $191,292 to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). An OLMS investigation concluded that Elsezy created and cashed checks totaling $44,316.58, drawn from the unions bank account for personal use. On August 8, 2008, Della Porta was indicted on one count of embezzling approximately $108,000 in union funds. U.S. On April 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Dianne Drawdy, former Financial Secretary of Security Police Fire Professionals Local 576 (located in Baxley, Ga.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $17,900. A message for Moscoso seeking comment that was left with a worker who answered the phone listed for Moscoso's business was not immediately returned. On January 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Carol Bruno, former Treasurer of AFSCME, Civil Service Employees Association Region 4 (located in Albany, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,118.57. According to the .manual-search-block #edit-actions--2 {order:2;} The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. Thats not always the case. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. [CDATA[/* >