These investigations by OLMS District Offices involve issues such as embezzlements of union funds, union officer elections, the filing of required reports by unions and others with OLMS, and the imposition of trusteeships over subordinate unions by a parent body. These investigations may result in legal enforcement actions.
Date
Description
January 13th, 2006
On January 13, 2006, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County Court, Brenda Berkhamer, former employee of United Mine Workers Local 1257, pled guilty to one count of theft by deception and one count of forgery. She was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to make full restitution to the union. Berkhamer was also ordered to attend weekly meetings of Gamblers Anonymous. On September 7, 2005, Berkhamer was charged with, in addition to other charges, 46 counts of embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,656.50. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
September 7th, 2005
On September 7, 2005, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Westmoreland County Court, Brenda Berkhamer, former employee of United Mine Workers Local 1257, was charged in a 47-count criminal complaint with embezzling $9,656.50 in union funds. She was arrested the same day and released on $10,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2005. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.