Often, the person or people that took part are typically members of the organization that everyone likes. Federal records for 2017 show a handful ofsmaller losses to UAW locals: Federal records for 2016 document these losses to UAW locals: Preventing embezzlement is nearly impossible, so decisive action must be taken when it arises, said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California-Berkeley who specializes in labor and the global economy. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. On October 22, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, an information was filed charging Timmy R. Peltier, former Secretary Treasurer of Independent Loomis Security Employees Union (located in Cudahy, Wis.), with making a false statement or representation of a material fact on the union's 2006 and 2007 annual financial reports. One of these issues is embezzlement. On September 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Snelling, former Treasurer of Communication Workers Local 34014 (located in Gary, Ind. On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, Tina Curtis, former Secretary Treasurer for the APWU Local 232 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution. Her trial is scheduled for March 19. Another group hit hard by embezzlement are churches. Copyright 2019 WBTV. Theyre all very stung, not only financially but emotionally, said Todd Rammler, president of Michigan CFO Associates. There have been 300 unions that have discovered theft in the past two years. 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. On September 25, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Fawne Lei-Petersen, former office manager of Painters Local 300 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was sentenced to 3 months in prison, 7 months of home confinement, and 36 months of supervised release. On June 30, 2009, Tidwell had pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds in the same amount and one count of forfeiture. An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury. Harris agreed to make restitution in the same amount.The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The stolen dues are used to buy everything from luxury goods and lavish vacations to everyday items like gas and food. SEIU California's director of government relations, Tia Orr, will take over as interim executive director for the union, Schoonover said. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Miami Resident Investigator Office. "We are deeply concerned about the allegations against Alma Hernndez. U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of Oklahoma, Former Labor Union President Sentenced for Embezzling Union Funds, Bixby Man Pleads Guilty to Fraudulently Acquiring Almost $28,000 Worth of Commercial Products from a California Company, Former Chief Financial Officer Pleads Guilty for Failing to Pay Over $3.6M in Employee Tax Withholdings and for Pocketing $130,000 from his Employers Bank Account, Federal Grand Jury A Indictments Announced- January 2023, Former Labor Union President Sentenced For Embezzling Union Funds. Renew Dr. Ann Walters contract as Headmaster at Union Academy The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. The plea follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as New York City school bus companies , by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI. Monica Morgan, wifeof Holiefield,was charged in July 2017 with tax evasion and conspiracy stemming from her familys receipt of more than $1.2 million from the former vice president of FCA between 2009 and 2014. It was hard to believe she was stealing from us. Contact the Law Office of Douglas Herring today to discuss your situation. A guilty plea is a defendants admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial. Individual cases compiled by the Office of Labor-Management Standards last year cite theft and fraud ranging from $1,051 to nearly $6.5 million. Morana was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,696.48 and an assessment of $90 and placed on supervised probation for two years, which may be terminated early when restitution is paid in full. 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. ), admitted to sufficient facts to a charge of larceny over $250. On December 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Deidra Lucas, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 100 (located in Pontiac, Mich.) was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $39,403.72. On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Warren Demmin, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Local Lodge 449 (located in Sturgeon Bay, Wis.), was indicted on four counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $681.44. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. Lock The trial hasnt been set yet, but they both could see up to 10 years in prison and restitution if found guilty. Walston, Bania and Mosley were ordered to pay restitution totaling $900,936. 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. 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. 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 March 24, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan Elliott, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. Margaritis had previously made a restitution payment in the amount $12,000. Two UAW incidents uncovered in 2017, one in Michigan and the other in New Jersey,exceedthe $1-million mark, among the biggest labor theft cases in a decade. Hope, W.Va.), was sentenced to one month of incarceration, three years supervised release, ordered to make restitution in the amount of $70,000 (of which $1,775 has already been repaid) and pay a $100 special assessment. On June 19, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, LaRose Elsezy, former bookkeeper of AFGE Local 1923 (located in Baltimore, Md. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. On May 2, 2003, the Department of Labor informed Martin of his prohibition from serving as a union official for a period of 13 years. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. The charge follows an investigation by OLMS New Orleans District Office. On July 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, an information was filed charging Michael Kelly, former Secretary Treasurer for the United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Willard, Ohio) with one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $97,970.71. The admission follows and investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office. 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 April 15, 2009, Fanningpled guilty to falsifying union records by submitting fraudulent expense claims in the same amount. Dunbar has since been elected president of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 58 in Detroit. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. 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. In February 2017, the business manager of Washington, D.C.s Laborers Local 657 was sentenced to four years in prison. Postal Services Office of Inspector General. On February 17, 2009, Ramsey was charged with embezzling funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Becker had previously made restitution in the amount of $6,500 in union funds. 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. 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. Unions are experiencing a time period where they are not overly popular. Finance experts in Michigan and nationally say it is essential that people understand the toll embezzlement takes oncharities, business and public and private schools. The indictments follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. In June, a former president in Lafayette, Ind., was sentenced to jail and ordered to pay restitution after diverting more than $100,000 in union money for personal use. UNION COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - Officials say the headmaster at Union Academy charter school will not return after her contract expires at the end of June. 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. The founder of Prim Capital Corp., who managed as much as $250 million for the National Basketball Players Association, was sentenced in June 2014 to 18 months in prison for trying to defraud the union of $3 million. On March 30, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Steven Snyder, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 5724 (located in Clarington, Ohio), was sentenced to five months incarceration after pleading guilty to embezzling $78,893.47 in union strike fund benefits. ), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $13,904.69. ), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048. They allegedly owe the state more than $140,000 and could face state prison time. On April 2, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Oliver Kupau III, former lead field representative of Laborers Local 368 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was denied his request for an exemption from the LMRDA Section 504 prohibition against persons convicted of certain crimes holding union office or employment. Examining the rise of embezzlement in unions around the country can help to put this issue in perspective. On September 23, 2008, Gehringer pled guilty to a two-count indictment for aiding and abetting in the embezzlement of union funds and embezzlement of union funds. On May 28, 2009, in the District Court of Brockton, Massachusetts, Susan J. Elliot, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162 (located in Brockton, Mass. 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. 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. On June 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Shawn Clark, former Business Agent of Carpenters Local 455 (located in Somerville, N.J.), was indicted on sixteen counts of embezzling union funds in excess of $85,000 and conspiracy to improperly spend union funds for his own personal use and the use of others during the approximate period of December 2000 through December 2007. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Bealefeld was then sentenced to three years probation. On July 31, 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.) pled guilty to embezzling union funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office. The sentence follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Investigator Office and the U.S. Department of Labors Office of Inspector General. 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. 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. On On August 27, September 1, September 3, and September 29, 2009, Six former officials of Teamsters 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.) were sentenced in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in connection with their roles in rigging the unions 2004 officer election and its rerun. We are hired to detect suspected fraud, and to help businesses recover from the catastrophic financial effect it can have. It also states that we are not to have any contact with Dr Walters from this date forward. On December 2, 2009, in Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, the following Tiffany Freeman, Tiesha Hamer, Lavina Smith, LaDonna Turner and Britton Russia were charged with forging checks belonging to Musicians Local 1 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio). However, there is some discussion going around about the potential for problems that can come from a powerful union. Drawdy agreed to make restitution in the amount of $17,900. The indictment also included a forfeiture allegation in the amount of $1,000,000. 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. Free Press staff writer Eric D. Lawrence contributed to this report. Mike Roth, a spokesman for the union, did not answer a question about when Hernandez resigned. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On December 16, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, an information was filed charging Brenda Bywater, former Treasurer of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees(AFSCME)Local 100 (located in Pontiac, Mich.), with one count ofmaking false entries in union records. In February 2017, the International Longshoremens Association Local 970 had their former financial secretary received a lengthy prison sentence. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville Office. What Are Some High Profile Cases of Embezzlement in Unions? It may seem like a problem thats only hitting large unions, but in fact, it happens commonly all across the country in large and small areas. 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. 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. ), pled guilty to one count of stealing union funds in the amount of $6,350. On February 17, 2009, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Todd Novak, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 3 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, two years probation, and was fined $2,000. On November 3, 2008, Getzen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. On April 7, 2009, Elsezy 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. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. On June 19, 2009, Elsezy had pled guilty to one count of theft in a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. If so, you need a seasoned attorney in your corner. Now hes in prison, said Michael Galetti, a carpenterwho works in Detroit. The Ingham County DA made headlines for prosecuting 53 embezzlement cases in 2014, up from 35 cases the year prior, according to the Lansing State Journal. On June 15, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Michael Pagano, former Business Agent /Secretary-Treasurer of Roofers, Local 74 (located in West Seneca, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year probation and order to make full restitution of $9,264. On August 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Audrea Ann Jimenez, former secretary/bookkeeper of Carpenters Local 262 (located in San Jose, Calif.), was sentenced to two years probation and 75 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. Its vital for you to protect yourself with legal help from the very beginning of this situation. On December 7, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Roger Wuest, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security Police and Fire Professionals (SPFPA) (located in San Bernardino, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of probation. You also can email OLMS-Public@dol.gov or call 202-693-0143 with your complaint or questions. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office. On February 3, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Mervin Patrick Getzen, former Secretary Treasurer of UAW Local 2926 (located in Shelbyville, Ky.), was sentenced to three years probation, six months home detention, and order to pay a $100 assessment. Have you been accused of embezzlement in a union? The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Alejandro Stephens, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 660 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was charged in an information with three counts of mail fraud and filing a false tax return. On November 23, 2009, Matthis was charged in an information with one count of embezzling union funds during a period between August 2006 and October 2007. On April 1, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Rosa Miriam Della Porta, former bookkeeper of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 (located inLos Angeles, Calif.), was found guilty of embezzling union funds. 2023 www.freep.com. OLMS has investigated and prosecuted union leaders for embezzling more than $100 million in union dues since 2001. This is a petition to the Board of Directors to renew Dr. Ann Walters contract as Headmaster of Union Academy. On July 31, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Stephen J. Pfeiffer, former Secretary Treasurer of IATSE Local 60 (located in Pensacola, Fla.), was sentenced to thirteen months imprisonment, to run consecutively to the yet to be imposed sentence on state charges, and three years of probation. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office. On January 5, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Joseph Michael Johnson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Boilermakers Lodge 687 (located in Charleston Heights, S.C.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $102,519. Theplea and charge follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office. ), admitted to sufficient facts to the charge of larceny over $250 by a single scheme. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. On October 13, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Michael Kelly, former Treasurer of Untied Transportation Union (UTU) Local 586 (located in Lexington, Ohio), was sentenced to one year and a day confinement, three years supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution. On May 15, 2009, Stefanik had pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. And its used effectively to damage unions politically.. An OLMS investigation concluded thatBrownlee falsified vouchers for travel, per diem, lodging and lost time. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. On December 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Karen Snelling, former Treasurer of Communication Workers Local 34014 (located in Gary, Ind. On October 22, 2008, Huss pled guilty to two counts of falsification of union records. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. 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 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. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. On March 25, 2009, Caltabiano had pled guilty to embezzling $23,644.76 in union funds between 2002 and 2006. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office. Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information. Last updated on: November 14, 2021, 11:59h. Garza then used some of the funds to purchase a New Nissan Armada SUV and a condominium located on Gentryside Drive in Houston. Tulsa, OK 74119, Phone:(918) 382-2700 Ann Marie Shaffer, 57, of Livonia was sentenced toa year in prison after admitting to embezzling $101,059.56 in 2008-10. Acosta is accused ofpermittingineligible participants to remain on the union's health care plan. On August 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Terry Hacker, former Secretary-Treasurer of Hotel Employees Restaurant Employees (HERE) Local 12 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $38,146. On March 23, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Robert Walston, former President of Teamsters Local 743 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, theft from a labor organization and one count of embezzlement of property and other assets of a labor organization in connection with his role in rigging the 2004 elections of union officers. @media (max-width: 992px){.usa-js-mobile-nav--active, .usa-mobile_nav-active {overflow: auto!important;}} On February 23, 2009, in the Superior Court of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, Michael West, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84845 (located in Evansville, Indiana), pled guilty to one count of conversion. Itsfounding pastor is accused of stealing up to $5 million afteraudits and reviewsin the summer of 2017.
