Center for Union Facts logo

Union Facts

Maintenance Of Way Employees, Sub-Lodge 779

Guilty Pleas

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.

DateDescription
September 15th, 2008On September 15, 2008, in the Seventh District Court of Carbon County, Utah, Kathleene L. Bigham, the spouse of former Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Local 779 (located in Grand Junction, Col.) Secretary-Treasurer Alfred Bigham, pled guilty to theft of union funds in the amount of $14,280, and three counts of forgery. Subsequently, Bigham was ordered to pay $800 in fines and make additional restitution in the amount of $2,022.68. Bigham previously paid restitution in the amount of $12,258. Additional sentencing will be held in abeyance for a period of two years. On June 3, 2008, an information was filed charging Bigham with theft of union funds in the same amount, and three counts of forgery. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.