American Nurses Association

Officials Sentenced

Office of Labor-Management Enforcement

The Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS) conducts both civil and criminal investigations of alleged violations of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and related laws.

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
February 25th, 2011	On February 25, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Freida Carter-London, former office manager of Carpenters Local 1421 (located in Arlington, Tex.), was sentenced to 60 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution of $99,178 (due by the end of her probation). On November 12, 2010, Carter-London pled guilty to embezzling $99,178 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
January 20th, 2011	On January 20, 2011, in the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Rob Rybak, former Business Manager for Plumbers Local 55 (located in Cleveland, Ohio), was sentenced to 27 months incarceration followed by two years supervised release. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $500 special assessment. On October 26, 2010, Rybak pled guilty to embezzlement from a labor union, embezzlement from an employee benefit fund, conspiracy to obstruct justice, Hobbs Act conspiracy, and tampering with a witness. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, FBI, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
January 14th, 2011	On January 14, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, Donna Cooper, former Business Manager for Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 888 (located in Tahlequah, Okla.), was sentenced to five months incarceration followed by 36 months of supervised release, with the first five months as home detention. Cooper was ordered to pay over $59,000 in restitution. On July 15, 2010, Cooper pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $69,322. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
January 5th, 2011	On January 5, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Wayne Mitchell, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 14170 (located in New York, N.Y.), the union representing mail room employees in the New York newspaper industry, was sentenced to two years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release for violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Mitchell was also ordered to pay restitution of $373,555. The sentencing brings to a conclusion an investigation in which the trustee, Larry DeAngelis, who was appointed to manage the unions financial affairs in the aftermath of this embezzlement, was also convicted in a scheme to fraudulently obtain reimbursement for expenses that he, in fact, did not incur. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
October 26th, 2010	On October 26, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, William Dugan, former President and Business Manager of Operating Engineers Local 150 (located in Countryside, IL), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $30,000, an assessment of $25, and the cost of probation on a monthly basis. Special conditions of supervision also require Dugan to file appropriate Form LM-30 reports. On March 22, 2010, Dugan pled guilty to one count of receiving a thing of value from a signatory employer. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, FBI, and DOL OIG.
October 25th, 2010	On October 25, 2010, in the United States District Court, Newark, NJ, Patrick Brennan, former Business Manager of Painters District Council 711 (located in Egg Harbor Township, NJ), was sentenced to six months incarceration and six months home confinement, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,487.26. Brennan had previously pled guilty to embezzling $32,487.26 of funds from Painters District Council 711, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Newark Resident Investigator Office.
October 5th, 2010	On October 5, 2010, Joseph Kerwan, Business Manager/Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Sheet Metal Workers Local Union 112 (located in Elmira, NY), was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay a $2,000 fine in the Western District of New York. On May 20, 2010, Kerwan pled guilty to falsification of union records. As part of the plea and sentencing, Kerwan made full restitution to his local union totaling $6,927.55. The court action came as a result of an investigation by the Buffalo District Office.
September 29th, 2010	On September 29, 2010, in the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Keith Hart, former Financial Secretary of Bakery Workers Local 315G (Mt. Vernon, IN), was sentenced to six months in a work release community corrections facility and three years probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $13,904.69 and a $100.00 special assessment. On July 6, 2010, Hart pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $13,904.69. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Cincinnati District Office.
September 2nd, 2010	On September 2, 2010, in the Superior Court of Washington County, Washington, Elizabeth Mills, former office manager of Laborers Local 901 (located in Mount Vernon, Wash), was sentenced to 20 days of incarceration and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,721. On June 18, 2010, Mills pled guilty to theft of union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
July 20th, 2010	On July 20, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Thomas Renkes, former Executive Director of the Alaska Nurses Association (AaNA) (located in Anchorage, Alaska), was sentenced to thirty-six months of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $22,546 and a $2,000 fine. On April 26, 2010, Renkes was charged with embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
July 15th, 2010	On July 15, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Stacey Spalding, former bookkeeper for Teamsters Local 215 (located in Evansville, Ind.), was sentenced to one year at a work release facility and two years probation, and was ordered to pay $29,499 in restitution to Zurich Insurance of North America and $100 in court fees. Additionally, Spalding was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $1,597 for money diverted from various 401(k) accounts. On May 19, 2010, Spalding pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,516. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
June 23rd, 2010	On June 23, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Richard D. Schwab, former Secretary-Treasurer of UTU Local 298 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to two years probation and six months electronic monitoring, and he was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $4,719.57 and a special assessment off $100. Schwab previously made restitution in the amount of $42,009. On February 25, 2010, Schwab pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $46,728. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 22nd, 2010	On June 22, 2010, in the 22ND Judicial District Court of Washington Parish, Louisiana,Keith Knight, formerSecretary Treasurer ofSteelworkers Local13-1362 (located inBogalusa, La.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, and was ordered to pay$43,000 restitution, a fine of $500, monthly supervision fees, and court fees. OnJune 22, 2010,Knight pled guilty to theft over $500. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office and the Louisiana State Police.
May 19th, 2010	On May 19, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Tammy Smith, former office secretary for Painters Local 1922 (located in Billings, Mont.), was sentenced to 30 months of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $11,175.43, an assessment of $100, and a fine of $500. On March 31, 2010, Smith pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $11,175.43. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
April 1st, 2010	On April 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Linda Tickle, former office manager of Machinists Locals 56 and 1458 (located in Chattanooga, Tenn.), was sentenced to five months imprisonment, three years probation, a $200 assessment, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $40,048.72. On March 29, 2010, Tickle pled guilty to two counts of embezzlement union funds in the amount of $40,048.72. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
April 1st, 2010	On April 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, David M. Matthis, former Secretary Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 205 (located in Alexandria, La.), was sentenced to three years of supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,222.57, ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $7,000 and a special assessment of $100. On December 17, 2009, Matthis pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $5,472.61. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
March 18th, 2010	On March 18, 2010, 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.), was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home detention with electronic monitoring, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $15,000 to Zurich North American Insurance Company and $3,100 to the union and ordered to pay a special assessment of $100. On December 10, 2009, Snelling pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,100. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
March 11th, 2010	On March 11, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Laura A. Brown, former President and Treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local5095 (located in Butte, Mont.), was sentenced to five years probation on one count of embezzling union funds. Brown was ordered to makerestitution,pay a special assessment of $100 and repay the cost of mental health and substance abuse treatment directed by the probation office. On November 12, 2009, Brown pled guilty to one count of embezzlingunion funds totaling $7,731.54. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
March 11th, 2010	On March 11, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, David Come, former Vice President and Assistant Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1919 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa), pled guilty to submitting false expense vouchers to the union from January 2006 to January 2007. Come was then sentenced to nine months probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,850.83. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
January 8th, 2010	On January 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Monica Peaslee, former office manager of Teamsters Local 533 (located in Reno, Nev.), was sentenced to 48 months probation and ordered to pay $12,479.99 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On October 2, 2009, Peaslee pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $13,156 and falsifying union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
October 19th, 2009	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. On July 13, 2009, Ullum pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with causing a false statement on an ERISA record. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
October 19th, 2009	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. On July 13, 2009, Ullum pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with causing a false statement on an ERISA record. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
October 6th, 2009	On October 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Teresa Cora Luna, former office manager/bookkeeper of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 504 (located in Anaheim, Calif.), was sentenced to five months in federal prison and five months in a community corrections facility, to be followed by a three year period of supervised release and a 13-year bar from future union officer or employment service following her release. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 assessment. On September 26, 2008, Luna was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount from November 2004 through June 2005. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
October 6th, 2009	On October 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Teresa Cora Luna, former office manager/bookkeeper of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 504 (located in Anaheim, Calif.), was sentenced to five months in federal prison and five months in a community corrections facility, to be followed by a three year period of supervised release and a 13-year bar from future union officer or employment service following her release. Additionally, Luna was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $67,416.21 and a $100 assessment. On September 26, 2008, Luna was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount from November 2004 through June 2005. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
September 25th, 2009	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 15, 2009, Lei-Petersen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $86,116. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
September 25th, 2009	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 15, 2009, Lei-Petersen pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $86,116. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
September 16th, 2009	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.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. Brophy was immediately sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $100. Brophy had previously paid over $47,172 in restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
September 16th, 2009	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.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds of over $5,000. Brophy was immediately sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and a special assessment of $100. Brophy had previously paid over $47,172 in restitution. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
August 24th, 2009	On August 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven Thomas, former Business Manager for Laborers Local 500 (located in Toledo, Ohio) was sentenced to five years probation with three months of location monitoring and 250 hours of community service. Thomas was also ordered to make outstanding restitution totaling $14,324.84. On May 11, 2009, Thomas pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $28,500 in union funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
August 24th, 2009	On August 24, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Steven Thomas, former Business Manager for Laborers Local 500 (located in Toledo, Ohio) was sentenced to five years probation with three months of location monitoring and 250 hours of community service. Thomas was also ordered to make outstanding restitution totaling $14,324.84. On May 11, 2009, Thomas pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $28,500 in union funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
May 27th, 2009	On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Wendy Bentzen, former information/financial manager for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 72 (located in Jefferson City, Mo.), was sentenced to six months home detention and five years of supervision for the charge of bank fraud. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. On September 29, 2008, Bentzen pled guilty to one count of bank fraud.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
May 27th, 2009	On May 27, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Wendy Bentzen, former information/financial manager for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 72 (located in Jefferson City, Mo.), was sentenced to six months home detention and five years of supervision for the charge of bank fraud. Bentzen was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $32,256.60 and a $100 special assessment. On September 29, 2008, Bentzen pled guilty to one count of bank fraud.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
May 8th, 2009	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.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048.On February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
May 8th, 2009	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.), was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $5,048.On February 5, 2009, Harris had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
April 28th, 2009	On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. Brown, former Business Manager of Plumbers Local 237 (formerly located in Texarkana, Texas), was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $100 mandatory special assessment and remaining restitution in the amount of $4,942. On April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Dallas District Office, EBSA Dallas District Office, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
April 28th, 2009	On April 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, William I. Brown, former Business Manager of Plumbers Local 237 (formerly located in Texarkana, Texas), was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay $100 mandatory special assessment and remaining restitution in the amount of $4,942. On April 3, 2007, Brown was indicted on eight counts of embezzling union and apprenticeship funds totaling over $86,500. The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Dallas District Office, EBSA Dallas District Office, and the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General.
February 23rd, 2009	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. 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 plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
February 23rd, 2009	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. 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 plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
December 1st, 2008	On December 1, 2008 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Jeanette McFarland, former President of the Glass Molders and Plastics Union Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.) was sentenced to six months imprisonment (with credit given for time served), three years supervised release and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,604.04. On September 18, 2008 McFarland pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds.The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
July 7th, 2008	On July 7, 2008, in the Superior Court of Wayne County, Indiana, Curtis Pittinger, former President of IBEW Local 2043 (located in Richmond, Ind.), was sentenced to a suspended sentence of a year and a half in prison, six months in-home detention, probation for four and a half years, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $10,132.33, pay $7,000 for the cost of an audit and $750 in court costs and fees. On October 3, 2007, Pittinger was charged with three counts of theft of union funds in the amount of $10,300. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Indianapolis Resident Investigator Office.
June 30th, 2008	On June 30, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Norman K. Brown, former Bargaining Committee Chairman of UAW Local 2911 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to two years probation, including six months of home detention, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $41,478 and a $100 special assessment. On March 19, 2008, Brown pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 26th, 2008	On June 26, 2008, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Zona Albritton, former Manager of General Services for AFSCME (located in Washington, DC), was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison to be followed by 36 months probation, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,446.On April 4, 2008, Albritton pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
June 16th, 2008	On June 16, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Utah, Trace L. Reynolds, former office manager of IBEW Local 354 (located in West Valley City, Utah), was convicted and sentenced on one count of falsification of an annual financial report filed by a labor union. Reynolds was sentenced to one year of probation. Reynolds had previously made restitution in the amount of $10,698. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
April 29th, 2008	On April 29, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Mary Hartsock, former office manager of Laborers Local 1358 (located in Elmira Heights, N.Y.), was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $17,958. On October 29, 2007, Hartsock pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
April 14th, 2008	On April 14, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Fredrick W. Jones, former Vice President of Glass Molders and Plastics Union Local 285 (located in Fort Wayne, Ind.), was sentenced to six months home confinement, one year probation and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. Also, Jones must submit to drug testing during his period of probation.On January 16, 2008, Jones pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds in the same approximate amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
March 18th, 2008	On March 18, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manager and Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local Union 163, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, two years probation (to include six months in home confinement), fined $4000 and ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100. On September 11, 2007, Capece pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. Capece had previously made restitution of the full amount, plus any other costs associated with his crime. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
January 30th, 2008	On January 30, 2008, in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, Timothy A. Wilson, former employee of the Stage and Picture Operators Local 271, was sentenced to two years probation for forgery. On November 16, 2007, Wilson pled guilty to a one count felony charge of forgery in the amount of $168. Prior to the investigation, Wilson paid restitution in the amount of $16,750. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
December 13th, 2007	On December 13, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former President and Business Manager of IBEW Local 2344, was sentenced to one year probation and a $100 special assessment. On August 28, 2007, Sharp pled guilty to one count of embezzling $630 in union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
July 27th, 2007	On July 27, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Walter Fisher, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union Local 1949, was sentenced to six months in prison to be followed by six months of home detention and two years probation. Fisher was ordered to attend drug and alcohol counseling, gambling counseling and financial management counseling. Fisher was also ordered to pay $45,000 restitution to the union. On May 3, 2007, Fisher pled guilty to one count of embezzling more than $30,000, but less than $70,000, in union funds. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
June 22nd, 2007	On June 22, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Anthony C. Price, former Business Manager and Recording Secretary of ILA Local 1316, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $11,804 and pay a special assessment of $100. On March 13, 2007, Price pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
April 10th, 2007	On April 10, 2007, in the Monroe County (Indiana) Circuit Court, Glenn Collins, former President/Business Manager of IBEW Local 2249, pled guilty to criminal conversion of union funds. Collins was fined $250 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $840. In addition, Collins agreed to a 13 year bar from holding union office or employment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
April 6th, 2007	On April 6, 2007 in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Kathy Schurosky, former office manager for Carpenters Local 2520, was sentenced to six months probation and a special assessment of $25 for willfully making false entries in the financial records of a labor organization. Schurosky had previously made full restitution in the amount of $3,397.86. On April 5, 2006, Schurosky pled guilty to the misdemeanor offense of willfully making false entries in union financial records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
February 21st, 2007	On February 21, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Connie Jacobs, former office manager for IBEW Local 495, was sentenced to twelve months and one day incarceration to be followed by three years probation. Jacobs was ordered to pay a special assessment fee of $100 and pay restitution in the amount of $119,431.56. On November 14, 2006, Jacobs pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
February 1st, 2007	On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Patrick Kennedy, former Financial Secretary for Painters Local 720, was sentenced to five years probation; six months home confinement; drug treatment; no gambling; $100 court fine; and ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $15,621.81. On October 31, 2006, Kennedy pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
February 1st, 2007	On February 1, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Judy Cary, former Office Manager for CWA Local 6127, was sentenced to five years probation, three months home confinement, and 300 hours of community service. Cary was ordered to pay a $7500 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $25,267 in restitution. On August 31, 2006, Cary pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
January 24th, 2007	On January 24, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Russell J. Liming, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary for Sheet Metal Workers Local 183, was sentenced to one week of imprisonment followed by three years probation with the first 120 days to be served in a half-way house. Liming was ordered to pay a $250 fine, a $100 special assessment, and $2,421 in restitution to Franklin Savings & Loan. On October 3, 2006, Liming pled guilty to one count of bank fraud. Liming falsely represented that he was acting on behalf of the local when he obtained a loan from the bank, the proceeds of which he used for personal purposes. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
January 8th, 2007	On January 8, 2007, in United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, was sentenced to six-month confinement followed by 150 days of home detention, and three-years supervised release. Stark was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $50,376.89 plus an additional $26,783.64 in investigative costs incurred by the local. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
November 8th, 2006	On November 8, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Andrea Stack, former Business Manager for IUE-CWA Local 1199, was sentenced to five years probation with six months home detention and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $66,405. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 29th, 2006	On June 29, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Roy Jones, former President of Communications Workers of America Local 3450, was sentenced to three years probation, including ten months home detention with electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay $64,021 in restitution to the local. On March 31, 2006, Jones pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $66,222.30. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
June 26th, 2006	On June 26, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, David Pirrung, former Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for Bricklayers Local 1, was sentenced to one year probation and fined $1,000. On March 30, 2006, Pirrung pled guilty to concealing union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
April 14th, 2006	On April 14, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, William Van Sickle, former Secretary-Treasurer for AFSCME Local 725, was sentenced to six months community confinement and five years probation. In addition, Van Sickle was ordered to pay $23,645 in restitution and a $100 assessment and is prohibited from opening new lines of credit or acting as a fiduciary without Federal Probation permission. Van Sickle previously paid approximately $40,000 in restitution prior to his conviction. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 28th, 2006	On March 28, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Phyllis Ann Pack, former Office Manager of the Kentucky District Council of Carpenters, was sentenced to one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and a $100 assessment. On December 19, 2005, Pack pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $3,349. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
February 27th, 2006	On February 27, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Joseph Rocha, former Business-Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for Laborers Local 1082, was sentenced to 3 years probation, which includes 6 months home confinement. He was ordered to pay a $200 special assessment, obtain mental health counseling, not take any employment involving his access to an employer's funds, and to submit to periodic drug testing, not to exceed eight random checks per month. Rocha was also ordered to pay $12 per day for his period of confinement to defray the cost of monitoring him. The probation report noted that the union agreed not to pursue restitution of the $29,656 that Rocha embezzled in exchange for his agreement not to sue the Local for retroactive vacation, sick, or severance pay, or over the forfeiture of his LIUNA pension. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
February 24th, 2006	On February 24, 2006, in the 81st Indiana Judicial Circuit in Lawrence County, Indiana, William F. Campbell, former President of Security, Police, & Fire Professionals of America, Local 10, pled guilty to theft in the amount of $3,894. He was sentenced to a suspended confinement of one year and six months, thirty days house arrest, fifteen days of working on a road crew, and one year and six months of probation. Campbell was also ordered to make full restitution to the local. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
February 16th, 2006	On February 16, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Marcia Huizenga, former bookkeeper and office manager for Teamsters Local 822, was sentenced to three months in prison, followed by five months of home detention and three years of supervised probation. Huizenga was also ordered to pay full restitution. On November 4, 2005, Huizenga pled guilty to one count of embezzling $47,131 in union funds. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
February 2nd, 2006	On February 2, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Tim Burke, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary for Roofers Local 42, was sentenced to 180 days of electronically monitored home detention and three years supervised probation for embezzling union funds. He was ordered to pay $21,340 in restitution in addition to $10,230 already paid and will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing while on probation. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 27th, 2006	On January 27, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Terrance Dolan, former Operations Manager for Windy City Maintenance, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment followed by 3 years supervised release, ordered to pay restitution of $20,000 to the City of Chicago, and given a special assessment of $1,100 for his part in falsely maintaining to the City of Chicago that Windy City Maintenance, a Duff family owned business, was a woman-owned business. Dolan was the last of six defendants to be sentenced in the Federal probe. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office, the FBI, the IRS, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General.
December 14th, 2005	On December 14, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Russell J. Liming, former Business Manager/Secretary-Treasurer for Sheet Metal Workers Local 183, was sentenced to thirty days home confinement followed by three years probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine and an assessment of $25. Liming had previously paid restitution in the amount of $1,171. On August 10, 2005, Liming pled guilty to filing a false LM report. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
November 1st, 2005	On November 1, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Jordan, former Business Manager of Iron Workers Local 161, was sentenced to three years probation, including six months of home detention. Jordan was also fined $5,000. On May 24, 2005, Jordan pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds totaling $21,652.80 and one count of making a false entry in union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
October 7th, 2005	On October 7, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Duane Raab, former business manager of Iron Workers Local 518, was sentenced to three months imprisonment to be followed by thirty-six months of supervised release, including three months of home confinement for embezzling union funds. He was ordered to make restitution to the union in the amount of $25,479.38. Raab pled guilty to embezzling union funds on July 15, 2005. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
September 21st, 2005	On September 21, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Joseph Calcagno, former Business Manager/Secretary Treasurer of Laborers Local 1162, was sentenced to two years probation for making false entries in the financial books and records of Local 1162. Calcagno was also ordered to make restitution of $66,632 to the union for improper expenses that were claimed by Calcagno while employed by the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
August 25th, 2005	On August 25, 2005, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Dana Lockwood, former Treasurer of Asbestos Workers Local 49, was sentenced to five months in prison, five months home confinement, and ordered to make full restitution. Lockwood had previously been charged on March 23, 2005 with embezzling $64,255.55 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
July 26th, 2005	On July 26, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Jordan, the former business manager of Riggers, Local 161, pled guilty to one count of embezzlement totaling $21,652.80 and one count of making a false entry in the union's records. On May 24, Jordan was indicted on two counts of embezzlement and one count of making a false entry. Under the terms of the plea agreement, one count of embezzlement will be dismissed at the time of sentencing which is scheduled for November 1, 2005. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
July 18th, 2005	On July 18, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Bernard Scheller, former secretary-treasurer for Local 14448, Communications Workers, was sentenced to six months in a half-way house, two years of supervised release, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. On May 16, 2005, Scheller pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzling $7,250 in union funds. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
May 20th, 2005	On May 20, 2005, William E. Stratton, a long-time friend and associate of the Duff family, and an employee for over 18 years of Local 3, Liquor Distributors Union (a union managed by members of the Duff family), was sentenced to five years and ten months incarceration and three years of supervised release. Stratton was ordered to be jointly and severally liable with co-defendant James M. Duff for restitution to the City of Chicago in the amount of $7,370,379. Stratton was ordered to forfeit $525,932 in salary he earned as the minority figurehead of Remedial Environmental Manpower and he was ordered to pay a special assessment of $1,100. On February 24, 2005, Stratton was convicted of the charges. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
February 17th, 2005	On February 17, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Michael Koehler, former business manager of Local 965, Electrical Workers, was re-sentenced for embezzling union funds. On February 14, 2003, Koehler was sentenced to two years and one month in prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution. On November 8, 2002, he pled guilty to embezzling $135,198 following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office. On September 30, 2004, Koehler was held in contempt of court, and his sentence was tolled between September 30, 2004, and December 16, 2004, for failing to provide financial information and for failing to make restitution. On February 17, 2005, Koehler's sentence was amended to require that he serve 90 days of community confinement following his release from prison.
February 11th, 2005	On February 11, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Brian K. Payne, former office manager of Local 1392, Laborers, was sentenced for embezzling union funds. The sentence consisted of one month home incarceration with electronic monitoring, and three years probation with random drug testing, evaluation, and counseling. Payne was also ordered to pay a $100 court assessment; he had previously made restitution in the amount of $6,605. On October 18, 2004, Payne pled guilty to the charge following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
January 19th, 2005	On January 19, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Thomas Pogue, former president of Local 32, Glass Molders Plastics, pled guilty to embezzling union funds in excess of $5,000. He was sentenced on the same day to two years probation, assessed $100 and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. Prior to sentencing, Pogue made restitution in the amount of $10,153.27. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
January 7th, 2005	On January 7, 2005, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Danny Fuller, former financial secretary of Local 32, Glass Molders Plastics, pled guilty to embezzling union funds. On the same day, he was sentenced to two years probation with six months home confinement. Fuller was fined $2,000, assessed $100, and ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $19,546.19. In addition, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
November 1st, 2004	On November 1, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Sandra H. Linder, former financial secretary-treasurer of Local 1317, Auto Workers, was sentenced to six months of home detention and five years of probation for embezzlement. In addition, she was ordered to pay restitution of $10,219.75 and a $100 assessment. On July 21, 2004, Linder pled guilty to embezzling more than $10,000 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. [Related documents: HTML |PDF]
October 7th, 2004	On October 7, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Rita Cloud, former financial secretary of Steelworkers Local 09-13314-S was sentenced to two years probation; she must serve the first six months of her sentence in home detention. In addition, Cloud was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and to perform 100 hours of community service. She previously made restitution. On June 28, 2004, she pled guilty to one count of embezzling $16,988 of union funds following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
September 29th, 2004	On September 29, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Becky Harris, former secretary-treasurer of Glass Molders Plastics Local 37, was sentenced to two years probation for creating false records. In addition, Harris was ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 and an assessment of $25. On April 27, 2004, she pled guilty to the charge following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
August 16th, 2004	On August 16, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Michael Updike, former secretary-treasurer of Glass, Molders, & Plastics Union Local 285, was sentenced to five years probation for embezzlement. Updike was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $9,343 and a special assessment of $100. The sentence follows an investigation by the Chicago District Office.
July 1st, 2004	On July 1, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Robert Mayhew, former business manager of IBEW Local 415, was sentenced to one year of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine. Mayhew pled guilty to a one count information charging him with causing a plan administrator to fail to include certain transactions in the plan's annual report. The charges resulted from the investigation into the collapse of Capital Consultants, LLC. The conviction follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office, the FBI, the IRS, and the Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General and the Employee Benefits Security Administration. [Related documents: HTML |PDF]
June 18th, 2004	On June 18, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Lynn Dianne Kittelson, former secretary for Teamsters Local 142, pled guilty to one count of making false entries in union records. She was subsequently sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to undergo monthly drug testing. On January 30, 2004, an information was filed against Kittelson following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
May 21st, 2004	On May 21, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Jerome M. Smith, former financial secretary of Auto Workers Local 933, pled guilty to a one count information charging him with embezzling $30,000 in union funds. On the same date, Smith was sentenced to six months home detention, three years probation, and 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to make full restitution to the union. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML |PDF]
May 5th, 2004	On May 5, 2004, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Gene Malinowski, former secretary-treasurer and business manager of Boilermakers Lodge 1851, was sentenced to six months community confinement, six months home confinement and five years probation for conspiracy and embezzlement. Malinowski was fined $100, assessed $50 and ordered to make additional restitution in the amount of $17,205. On December 18, 2003, he was indicted on one count of conspiracy and one count of embezzlement. Since the amount in the indictment was unspecified, the loss was fixed at $81,000 during the sentencing. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS New Haven Resident Office.
April 23rd, 2004	On April 23, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16, pled guilty to two counts of embezzling $26,804 in union funds. On the same day, he was sentenced to ten months imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently and two years supervised release for each count, also to be served concurrently. In addition, Collins was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $26,804 and assessed $200. He had been indicted on May 22, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
March 11th, 2004	On March 11, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, James Robinson, former president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1101, was placed on two years probation for failing to maintain union records. He was ordered to complete restitution to the union in the amount of $9,987. Robinson pled guilty to the charge on December 9, 2003. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
January 30th, 2004	On January 30, 2004, in the United States District Court for Nevada, Tim Egan, former business manager and secretary-treasurer of Bricklayers Local 3, was sentenced to four months of home detention with electronic monitoring and 24 months of probation for failure to maintain union records and making false statements and omissions of material facts in union reports. He was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $19,363.43 and to undergo treatment for gambling and drug addiction. Egan pled guilty to the charges on September 22, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office. [Related documents: HTML |PDF]
January 8th, 2004	On January 8, 2004, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Sandra Briggs, former treasurer of Letter Carriers Branch 378, was sentenced to 24 months probation, a $1000 fine, and a special assessment of $25 for creating false records. Additionally, Briggs was ordered to pay $58.76 in restitution. The sentence follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
December 30th, 2003	On December 30, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Michael LaForge, former president of the National Federation of Federal Employees Local 224, was sentenced to six months in a pre-release center and four years probation for embezzlement/theft of government property totaling $14,622, fraud, and false statements. He was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $15,647.67 and to pay a fine in the amount of $200. On October 9, 2003, LaForge pled guilty to embezzlement/theft of government property after cashing union dues rebate checks totaling $14,622, and to fraud and false statements. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
November 12th, 2003	On November 12, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ana Lorena Phillips, former secretary-treasurer for Communications Workers of America Local 3974, was sentenced to five months imprisonment followed by five months of home confinement and three years of supervised probation. Additionally, Phillips was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,678.79. On May 13, 2003, Phillips pled guilty to two counts of a five count indictment charging her with embezzlement and making false entries in union records. The guilty plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
October 28th, 2003	On October 28, 2003, in St. Louis County (Minnesota) District Court, Thomas J. Pender, former business manager and financial secretary of Laborers Local 1097, was sentenced to two years probation for theft and fraud. The conditions of the sentence require Pender to complete the following: serve a thirty-day work crew program, pay a fine of $1,000 plus court costs, refrain from using alcohol and mood altering chemicals (except as prescribed by a physician), submit to random urinalysis, submit to DNA testing, pay restitution if it is determined that additional restitution is owed, and show proof that a chemical dependency treatment program was completed. On April 7, 2003, Pender had been charged with one count of theft of $7,000 in union funds and one count of financial transaction card fraud involving $167 in union funds. The charges and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
October 20th, 2003	On October 20, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Tammy Lynne Reeves, former office manager/administrative assistant of Graphic Communications International Union Local 72-C, was sentenced to 18 months incarceration and three years probation for embezzling $169,366.30 in union funds. She was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $21,366.30 and to pay a special assessment of $100; she paid $148,000 in restitution prior to the indictment. On November 18, 2002, Reeves was indicted on one count of embezzlement; she pled guilty on June 3, 2003. The sentence and guilty plea follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the FBI.
August 13th, 2003	On August 13, 2003, in the Marion County (Indiana) Superior Court Criminal Division, Casey Stewart, the son of an officer of the Employees Protection Association, received a suspended sentence of 547 days for theft. He was placed on probation for one year. On April 10, 2003, Stewart was charged in a three-count indictment with two counts of forgery and one count of theft when he negotiated two union checks totaling $2,576; the forgery counts were dismissed following a plea agreement. The sentencing and charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
July 31st, 2003	On July 31, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Dana Moore, former office manager of the Carpenters Great Lakes Regional Industrial Council, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to make restitution of $22,590.41 and perform 75 hours of community service. He had pled guilty on March 11, 2003 to a one-count information following an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
July 10th, 2003	On July 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Frank Darvis, former treasurer of the United Transportation Union, Local 891, was sentenced to 18-months probation and ordered to pay a $100 fine. Darvis was indicted for embezzling $29,865 in union funds on January 8, 2003, and pled guilty to the charges on April 9, 2003. Darvis previously made full restitution. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
June 16th, 2003	On June 16, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Christopher Keith, former office manager for the Chattanooga Building and Construction Trades Council and the Chattanooga Labor Council, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment followed by three years supervised probation and ordered to pay $57,406.20 in restitution. Keith had previously pled guilty on November 22, 2002, to embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
May 15th, 2003	On May 15, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Norma J. Reedy, former treasurer of the Louisiana American Postal Workers Union, was sentenced to 60 months of supervised release and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution plus a $100 special assessment. Reedy pled guilty to embezzling $34,800 in union funds on January 23, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
May 9th, 2003	On May 9, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Clyde Howard Starkey, former member of Laborers Local 177, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, three years probation, and ordered to make restitution of $28,905. Starkey was indicted on November 20, 2002 and on January 16, 2003, he pled guilty to conspiring to embezzle union funds. Specifically, Starkey received and cashed $28,905 in union checks (to which he had no legitimate claim) and returned a portion of the proceeds to former Local 177 Business Manager Fred Risius. Risius is currently serving fifteen months in the penitentiary for embezzling in excess of $100,000 from the local. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office. [Related documents: HTML | PDF]
May 5th, 2003	On May 5, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, David Shaffer, the former President of Steelworkers Local 8985-S, was sentenced to spend six months in home confinement on electronic monitoring plus 36 months of supervised release and to pay $15,000 in restitution plus a $25 special assessment. Shaffer pled guilty to one count of falsifying union records (in order to conceal the embezzlement of $21,958 in union funds) on November 6, 2002. The U.S. Attorney dropped a related obstruction of justice charge based on threats Shaffer made against his local union's officers. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.[Related documents: HTML | PDF]
April 30th, 2003	On April 30, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Joseph Biernat, Minneapolis City Councilman, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and two years probation. He was also ordered to make restitution of $2,700 (to be paid jointly with co-defendant Thomas Martin, former business manager of Plumbers Local 15) and pay a fine of $10,000. He was found guilty on November 21, 2002 of one count of aiding and abetting an embezzlement of $2,700 from Plumbers Local 15, three counts of mail fraud, and one count of making a false statement. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and the FBI.
April 1st, 2003	On April 1, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Thomas Martin, former business manager of Plumbers Local 15, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and three years probation. He was ordered to make restitution of $43,323 and was fined $5,000. He had pled guilty on November 25, 2002 to one count of embezzling approximately $3,175 in union funds and one count of mail fraud. The charges had been brought following an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
March 28th, 2003	On March 28, 2003, in the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, Gary Halvorson, former financial secretary and business manager of Bricklayers Local 3, pled guilty to one count of embezzling $9,975 in union funds. After acceptance of his plea, he was sentenced to three years probation and 100 hours of community service and was ordered to make full restitution of $9,975. He had been indicted on February 11, 2003 following an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
February 14th, 2003	On February 14, 2003, in United States District Court for Western District of Wisconsin, Michael Koehler, former business manager of Electrical Workers 965, was sentenced to two years and one month in prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution. Koehler pled guilty to embezzling $135,198 on November 8, 2002 following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
January 31st, 2003	On January 31, 2003, in United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Michael Van Bibber, former business manager of Asbestos Workers Local 87, was sentenced to ten months confinement, 36 months of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $30,260. Van Bibber pled guilty to embezzling union funds on August 9, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
January 28th, 2003	On January 28, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Geoffrey R. Barron, former business manager/financial secretary- treasurer of Carpenters Local 2471, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $35,855, and ordered to pay a special court assessment of $100.00. On October 29, 2002, Barron pled guilty to embezzling $29,855.26 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
December 20th, 2002	On December 20, 2002, in Martin County (Indiana) Circuit Court, Joetta A. Axe, secretary-treasurer of AFGE Local 1415, pled guilty to one count of theft of union funds. Axe was sentenced to serve 365 days in county security with 363 days suspended, pay fines and court costs of $137, probation fees of $160, and restitution of $10,232.62. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
December 9th, 2002	On December 9, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Deborah S. Bailey, former office manager of American Federation of Musicians Local 136, was sentenced to five-years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $15,601.80 (jointly with former Local 136 President and Business Manager Thomas C. Bailey). Deborah Bailey pled guilty to embezzlement on September 6, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
December 9th, 2002	On December 9, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Thomas C. Bailey, former president and business manager of American Federation of Musicians Local 136, was sentenced to 15-months imprisonment for embezzlement and 12-months imprisonment for falsifying the union's annual financial report (the sentences to run concurrently) and three-years supervised release for embezzlement to run concurrently with one-year supervised release for falsifying the union's annual financial report. Thomas Bailey was ordered to pay full restitution of $15,601.80 (jointly with Deborah S. Bailey), a $4,000 fine, and a $125 special assessment. Bailey was found guilty by a jury on September 11, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
November 25th, 2002	On November 25, 2002 in Marion County (Indiana) Superior Court, James Johnson, former president of Auto Workers Local 36, was sentenced to 365 days in jail with 363 days suspended, and ordered to pay $132 in court costs and $1,000 in fines after pleading guilty to theft and making restitution of $4,167.76. He had pled guilty on November 25, 2002 after being charged on April 17, 2002 in an information filed following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
November 20th, 2002	On November 20, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Joyce Griffin, former secretary of the New Orleans Metal Trades Department, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay restitution of $2,383. Griffin pled guilty to one count of embezzlement on August 14, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
November 15th, 2002	On November 15, 2002, in the Circuit Court of Macon County, Illinois, Deborah Woltz, former building manager of the Allied Industrial Workers Building Association of Decatur, Illinois, was sentenced to 48 months probation and ordered to pay full restitution of $19,195.94 to the Building Association plus court costs after pleading guilty to embezzlement. The case was prosecuted by the Macon County State's Attorney following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
November 6th, 2002	On November 6, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, James Clem, former business manager of Painters Local 80, was sentenced to four months of home confinement, three years of supervised release, and ordered to make full restitution of $15,977. On August 21, 2002, Clem pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
October 10th, 2002	On October 10, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Edward K. Wiebeck, Sr., former business manager of Laborers Local 503, was sentenced to confinement in a community corrections center for six months followed by six months home confinement with electronic monitoring followed by three years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $32,790.82 in restitution. On May 9, 2002, Wiebeck pled guilty to one count of embezzling $32,790.82 in union funds following an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
September 25th, 2002	On September 25, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Jeremias Lopez, former business manager of Laborers Local 220, was sentenced to ten months confinement followed by twelve months of supervised release, ordered to pay $10,814 in restitution to the union's bonding company, ordered to pay a special assessment of $25, and ordered to be subject to regular drug testing. The court recommended that the sentence be served at the Turning Point drug/alcohol rehabilitation center in Bakersfield. On July 10, 2002, Lopez pled guilty to falsifying union records and admitted embezzling union receipts between $10,000 and $30,000 following an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
August 27th, 2002	On August 27, 2002, in the Superior Court of Wayne County, Indiana, Priscilla Crist, former president of United Auto Workers Local 2374, pled guilty to the embezzlement of $4,092 in union funds. She was sentenced to one year in jail with all but ten days suspended, one year of probation, and ordered to pay court costs and complete full restitution to the union. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
July 23rd, 2002	On July 23, 2002, in Marion County (Indiana) Superior Court, Mack Dykes, former president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1411, was sentenced to four years imprisonment and ordered to make restitution of $7,181.14. He had pled guilty to two counts of forgery in the amount of $7,100 on June 25, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
May 24th, 2002	On May 24, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, David Lareau, former business manager of Painters Local 160, was sentenced to two years probation and was fined $1,000. He had pled guilty on March 13, 2002, to willfully and knowingly withholding and concealing union financial records. He had been charged in an information on December 17, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
April 18th, 2002	On April 18, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, Willie Ray Walker, former secretary-treasurer of International Longshoremen's Association Local 1349, was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment and three years of supervised release and was ordered to make total restitution of $91,423.11. He had pled guilty on January 25, 2002 to embezzling union funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
April 11th, 2002	On April 11, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Steven Jones, former business manager/secretary-treasurer of Iron Workers Local 387, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and three years probation and was ordered to make restitution of $90,000. He had pled guilty on October 11, 2001 to embezzling union funds and apprenticeship funds following a joint investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office, the Department of Labor's Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
March 26th, 2002	On March 26, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Robert Dean Meyer, former financial secretary of Carpenters Local 1481, was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day imprisonment and two years of supervised release. He was also ordered to make full restitution of $47,346 to the union and the union's bonding company. He had pled guilty to embezzling union funds on December 6, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
November 30th, 2001	On November 30, 2001, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Michelle Terrell Spargur, former bookkeeper/office secretary for Carpenters Locals 364 and 1124, was sentenced to ten months home confinement with electronic monitoring and five years probation and was ordered to make restitution to the locals of $29,673. The charges had been brought on July 13, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
October 23rd, 2001	On October 23, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Earnest W. Carter, former business manager of Sheet Metal Workers Local 399, was sentenced to five months imprisonment followed by five months in a halfway house and two years probation. He was ordered to make restitution to the union of $22,092.82. He had pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds on August 7, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
September 25th, 2001	On September 25, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Craig J. Rider, former business manager of Laborers Local 1290, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for embezzlement of union funds, to be followed by 36 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to make restitution of $15,044. He had pled guilty on May 21, 2001, following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.

© 2013 Center for Union Facts | All Rights Reserved