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International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

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
March 28th, 2023On March 28, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 70 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release. Ahakuelo was also ordered to pay $7,967 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, $4,692 in forfeiture, and a $4,600 special assessment. On November 21, 2022, Ahakuelo was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of one count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and three counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo and her husband, Brian Ahakuelo, former IBEW Local 1260 Business Manager/Financial Secretary, rigged a vote to increase membership dues after largely depleting the unions coffers. The fraudulent vote caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over 18 months. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
March 1st, 2023On March 1, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, a former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was sentenced to 42 months in prison and three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $207,948 in forfeiture, a $50,000 fine, and a $1,000 assessment. On November 15, 2021, Henon was found guilty following a five-week trial of one count of conspiracy, eight counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
December 21st, 2022On December 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Fiocca, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to five counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
December 21st, 2022On December 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael Neill, former Apprentice Training Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzlement of union funds, one count of theft from an employee benefit plan, and one count of filing false federal income tax returns, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 664, and 26 U.S.C 7206(1), respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
December 19th, 2022On December 19, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Marita Crawford, former Business Agent and Political Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
December 19th, 2022On December 19, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Niko Rodriguez, former employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to six counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
December 9th, 2022On December 9, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lee Ann Miyamura, former Executive Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. On September 19, 2019, Miyamura pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
December 2nd, 2022On December 2, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Russell Yamanoha, former Communications Director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. On September 3, 2019, Yamanoha pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 30th, 2022On November 30, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. On September 4, 2019, Rose pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 29th, 2022On November 29, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. On September 6, 2019, Brittain pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 21st, 2022On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Marilyn Ahakuelo, former community services director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, and 3 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
November 21st, 2022On November 21, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was found guilty following a 16-day jury trial of 1 count of conspiracy, 42 counts of wire fraud, 19 counts of money laundering, and 6 counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 1957, and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. Ahakuelo engaged in a conspiracy to divert union funds and property by hiring family members at inflated salaries (some of whom did little or no actual work for the union) and authorized the use of union funds for personal travel, a vehicle, and dining expenditures. After largely depleting the unions coffers, Ahakuelo, with the help of his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, and other union employees, rigged a vote to increase membership dues. The fraudulent election caused members to pay an additional $3.7 million in dues over about 18 months. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, and the State of Hawaii Attorney Generals Office.
October 27th, 2022On October 27, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to one day in prison and one year of supervised release. McKale was ordered to pay $92,913 in restitution and a $10,000 fine. On July 11, 2022, McKale pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax return, in violation 26 U.S.C. 7206(2)). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
October 12th, 2022On October 12, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), was sentenced to 12 months of probation. Deal was also ordered to pay $22,982 in restitution. On May 11, 2022, Deal pleaded guilty to one count of making false entries, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
July 11th, 2022On July 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Michael McKale, an accountant for an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and assisting in the preparation and presentation of false federal income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(2). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
May 11th, 2022On May 11, 2022, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division, Connie Deal, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 508 (located in Savannah, Ga.), pleaded guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
November 15th, 2021On November 15, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, John Dougherty, former Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was found guilty following a five-week trial of one count of conspiracy and seven counts of honest services wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 and 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 1346, respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
November 15th, 2021On November 15, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Robert Henon, an employee of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.) and a Philadelphia City Councilman, was found guilty following a five-week trial of one count of conspiracy, eight counts of honest services wire fraud, and one count of bribery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 18 U.S.C. 1343, 1346, and 18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(B), respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office.
May 19th, 2021On May 19, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald Gus Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to two years in prison. Dougherty was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $358,913 and a $125,000 fine. On January 21, 2021, Dougherty pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(1)) and one count of theft from employee benefit plans (18 U.S.C. 664). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
January 21st, 2021On January 21, 2021, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Donald Gus Dougherty, owner and operator of Dougherty Electric, Inc., an employer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to one count of making and subscribing to false federal income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1), and one count of theft from employee benefit plans, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 664. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
November 13th, 2020On November 13, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was sentenced to five years of probation, with the first six months on a curfew with location monitoring. He was also ordered to pay $9,317 in restitution. On March 6, 2020, Johnson pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
March 6th, 2020On March 6, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Michael Johnson, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1658 (located in Pine Bluff, Ark.), was charged and pleaded guilty to embezzlement in the amount of $9,317, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 27th, 2020On January 27, 2020, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and ordered to serve two years of probation upon his release.  Moylan was also ordered to pay $130,783 in restitution, a $10,000 fine, and a $400 special assessment fee.  On October 16, 2019, Moylan pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)).  The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office. 
October 16th, 2019 On October 16, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, James Moylan, Executive Director of Neighborhoods for Fair Taxes, a non-profit that received donations from International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to 17 counts of wire fraud (18 U.S.C. 1343) and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns (26 U.S.C. 7206(01)). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
September 19th, 2019On September 19, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Lee Ann Miyamura, former executive secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
September 6th, 2019On September 6, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Michael Brittain, former assistant business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
September 4th, 2019On September 4, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Daniel Rose, business representative for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
September 3rd, 2019On September 3, 2019, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Russell Yamanoha, former communications director for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to make and cause to be made false entries in records required to be kept by a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Investigator Office, Internal Revenue Service Äì Criminal Investigations, and the State of Hawaii Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
May 20th, 2019On May 20, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration and two years of probation. Peltz previously made restitution of $958,000 and was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. On January 28, 2019, Peltz pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
January 28th, 2019On January 28, 2019, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, George Peltz, owner and operator of MJK Electric, an employer for members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of tax evasion (26 U.S.C. 7201), one count of failing to pay over payroll taxes (26 U.S.C. 7202), one count of theft from an employee benefit plan (18 U.S.C. 664), and one count of unlawful payments to a union official (29 U.S.C. 186(a)(b) & (d)(2)). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralÄôs Office.
February 20th, 2018On February 20, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, the former office manager and bookkeeper of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), was sentenced to 48 months in prison and 3 years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $307,562.54 and a $100 special assessment. On November 13, 2017, DeBoer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
November 13th, 2017On November 13, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Stephanie DeBoer, former office manager and bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876 (located in Edmore, Mich.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of approximately $307,563, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
October 12th, 2017On October 12, 2017, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota Northern Division, Salvatore Zagra, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1959 (located in Watertown, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of theft of government property, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 641. He was then sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay total restitution of $24,152, a $2,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. The guilty plea and sentencing follow a joint investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office, the Department of EnergyÄôs Office of Inspector General, General Services AdministrationÄôs Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
March 8th, 2017On March 8, 2017, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release. Scott was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $68,771. On November 17, 2016, Scott pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
December 15th, 2016On December 15, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), was sentenced to three years of probation and was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $12,344 and a $100 special assessment. On October 5, 2016, Cruise pled guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 17th, 2016On November 17, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (White Plains), Brian W. Scott, former President/Business Manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 503 (located in Monroe, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
October 13th, 2016On October 13, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years of probation. Humphrey was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $51,811 and a $100 special assessment. On January 26, 2016, Humphrey pled guilty to an information charging him with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
October 5th, 2016On October 5, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Jennifer Cruise, also known as Jenn Studebaker, former office manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520 (located in Austin, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $12,344, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 26th, 2016On January 26, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas, Clinton Humphrey, former President and Business Manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 386 (located in Texarkana, Ark.), was charged in an information with one count of embezzling $51,812 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Humphrey then pled guilty to the charge. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
May 21st, 2015On May 21, 2015, in the Buchanan County Circuit Court, Missouri, Dennis Fuston, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 545 (located in St. Joseph, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,768 and a $25 assessment. On April 16, 2015, Fuston pled guilty to felony theft
May 21st, 2015On May 21, 2015, in the Buchanan County Circuit Court, Missouri, Dennis Fuston, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 545 (located in St. Joseph, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $23,768 and a $25 assessment. On April 16, 2015, Fuston pled guilty to felony theft/stealing (value of property or services is $500 or more but less than $25,000) in violation of RSMO 570.030. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis Office.
January 16th, 2015On January 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ann Marie Shaffer, former dues clerk for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $340,267 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2014, Shaffer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÕs Office of Inspector General.
January 16th, 2015On January 16, 2015, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Ann Marie Shaffer, former dues clerk for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 58 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $340,267 and a $100 special assessment. On August 7, 2014, Shaffer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $101,059. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Department of LaborÄôs Office of Inspector General.
April 23rd, 2014On April 23, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine. Karr previously paid restitution in full. On December 11, 2013, Karr pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $158,150, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
April 3rd, 2014On April 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, James Jones, former business manager for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 898 (located in San Angelo, Tex.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $11,164 in both union and JATC funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
January 9th, 2014On January 9, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Mark Valerio, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 249 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), and former officer of IBEW System Council U-7 (located in Johnson City, N.Y.), was sentenced to one year of probation and 500 hours of community service. Valerio was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $39,049 and a $500 fine. On September 18, 2013, Valerio pled guilty to a one-count misdemeanor of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
December 11th, 2013On December 11, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Ronald Karr, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2359 (located in Sugar Grove, Ohio), pled guilty to a one-count information charging him with embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $158,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
September 18th, 2013On September 18, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Mark Valerio, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 249 (located in Geneva, N.Y.), and former officer of IBEW Council U-7 (located in Johnson City, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c), for each separate union organization. The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
June 1st, 2013On June 1, 2013, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 in Beaver, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 10 months of home detention, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75,285. The court ruled that the restitution should include the $19,800 in auditing fees incurred by the union after considering the victim impact statement and the financial losses to the union. In February 2013, Small pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $55,485. The investigation disclosed that Small embezzled the money using a variety of methods: petty cash, extra salary checks, unauthorized health care reimbursements, and a complicated receipts scheme.
February 25th, 2013On February 25, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Deborah Small, former bookkeeper for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 712 (located in Beaver, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in excess of $10,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
October 3rd, 2012On October 3, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Andrew Irwin, former business manager and Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was sentenced to 10 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $27,321.63 in restitution, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment. On June 28, 2012, Irwin pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $47,096, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
September 13th, 2012On September 13, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby M. Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), was sentenced to two years of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 assessment. Stegner paid full restitution in the amount of $41,321.25 on the day of sentencing. On May 30, 2012, Stegner pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
August 2nd, 2012On August 2, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Pete Irwin, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 72 (located in Waco, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and five years of probation. Irwin was also ordered to pay $19,774.70 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On June 7, 2012, Irwin was indicted for falsifying a financial report, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), and pled guilty. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
May 30th, 2012On May 30, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Libby Stegner, former administrative assistant for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1319 (located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,321.25. Stegner was charged on May 16, 2012. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
November 17th, 2011On November 17, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Michael Williams, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $2,826 and a $100 special assessment. On March 23, 2011, Williams was indicted on 10 counts of embezzlement totaling $4,906, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and four counts of making a false entry in a record required to be kept under the LMRDA, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). On June 8, 2011, Williams pled guilty to one count of embezzlement. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 25th, 2011On October 25, 2011, in the Circuit Court for the City of Norfolk, Virginia, Leonard Carman, former Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1142 (located in Virginia Beach, Va.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of less than $200, in violation of Virginia Code Section 18.2-111. Carman was then sentenced to one year in prison, all of which was suspended, two years of supervision, and 50 hours of community service. Carman had previously made restitution of $3,118. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
August 18th, 2011On August 18, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, John T. Parisi, former business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 682 (located in St. Petersburg, Fla.), was sentenced to one year of probation and 25 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment fee and restitution of $13,053. On May 18, 2011, Parisi pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in, or willfully concealing, withholding, or destroying any book, record, report or statement required to be kept, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Office.
April 20th, 2011On April 20, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Christy Nicole Freeman, former Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (locate in Eufaula, Ala.), was sentenced to three years probation and was ordered to pay $9,512.91 in restitution and a $25 assessment. On January 10, 2011, Freeman pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
April 1st, 2011On April 1, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, Katherine Nannette Jones, former Financial Secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 780 (located in Eufaula, Ala.), was sentenced to 36 months probation and was ordered to pay restitution of $4,710.17 and a $25 assessment. On January 12, 2011, Jones pled guilty to one count of making a false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
October 4th, 2010On October 4, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, the former Secretary-Treasurer of IBEW Local 1919 (located in Pittsburgh, PA), was sentenced to two years probation for each of the two counts (to run concurrently) and six months home detention, and ordered to pay restitution of $35,057 and a $100 count assessment. Carrola pled guilty on June 1, 2010 to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057 and to falsifying union records. Full restitution has been made to the union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Pittsburgh District Office.
August 30th, 2010On August 30, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Jimmie Leo Miles, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1023 (located in Barstow, Calif.), was sentenced to one year of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release. Miles was previously ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $93,284 to the union and $14,466 to the Internal Revenue Service. On June 21, 2010 Miles plead guilty to embezzling union funds and filing a false tax return. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Los Angeles District Office.
June 1st, 2010On June 1, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Thomas Carrola, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1919 (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $35,057 and falsifying union records. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
March 11th, 2010On 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.
February 8th, 2010On February 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and a special assessment of $100. Williams had previously made full restitution to the local in the amount of $9,554.14. On October 28, 2009, Williams pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
October 28th, 2009On October 28, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Carolyn Williams, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 352 (located in Lansing, Mich.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $9,554.14. On September 17, 2009, Williams was indicted on one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
March 18th, 2008On 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.
December 13th, 2007On 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.
September 11th, 2007On September 11, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Joseph Capece, former Business Manger/Financial-Secretary of IBEW Local 163 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $256,000. On September 4, 2007, Capece was charged with knowingly and willfully embezzling union funds in the same amount. The information and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
August 28th, 2007On August 28, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Gary E. Sharp, former Business Manager of IBEW Local 2, pled guilty to one count of embezzling, stealing, and willfully converting to his own use $630 of union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
June 4th, 2007On June 4, 2007, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Kenneth H. Mays, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 1053, was sentenced to five years probation, ordered to pay a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $37,197. On January 16, 2007, Mays pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of labor organization funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
April 10th, 2007On 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.
February 21st, 2007On 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.
November 9th, 2006On November 9, 2006, in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, Kathryn Stark, former office manager for IBEW Local 31, pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $50,377. On September 7, 2006, Stark was charged with one count of embezzling union funds in the same amount. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
October 5th, 2006On October 5, 2006, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Jerieka Ward, former Treasurer of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, IBEW, Local 998, was sentenced to three years probation with six months home detention and ordered to make restitution to the local in the amount of $24,118.97. On July 6, 2006, Ward pled guilty to embezzling $46,708.97 from the union and filing a false report. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
September 22nd, 2006On September 22, 2006, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Rachetta Johnson and Charlene Monroe were each sentenced to five years probation, 500 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution to IBEW Local 212 in the amount of $26,448 for their roles in defrauding the local through a market recovery agreement. Monroe and Johnson were co-owners of Electrical Innovations, an electrical contracting firm employing members of IBEW Local 212 under a market recovery agreement which entitled the firm to receive disbursements from the union's dues-funded market recovery fund, which is used to assist union contractors in bidding for jobs against non-union contractors by offsetting the difference between typical union and non-union wages. From July 2002 through December 2003, Electrical Innovations billed the local for hours its members had not worked, resulting in overpayments to Electrical Innovations in the approximate amount of $30,000. On September 8, 2006, and on September 12, 2006, respectively, Johnson and Monroe pled guilty to theft by deception. The sentencings follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 8th, 2006On September 8, 2006, in the Hamilton County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Rachetta Johnson, co-owner of Electrical Innovations, pled guilty to theft by deception for her role in defrauding the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 212, through a market recovery fund. On March 30, 2006, Johnson was charged with theft of property or services worth $5,000, tampering with market recovery forms, and forging market recovery fund forms. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
July 1st, 2004On 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.
April 23rd, 2004On 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.
October 10th, 2003On October 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Debra Dougherty, former office secretary for IBEW Local 648, was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment followed by five years supervised release (the first five months will be served in home confinement) for bank fraud. She was ordered to make restitution in the amount of $36,600 and to pay a $100 assessment. On June 26, 2003, Dougherty pled guilty to bank fraud following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
September 10th, 2003On September 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, Darvin Collins, former business manager of IBEW Local 16 in Evansville, Indiana, filed a petition to enter a plea of guilty and plea agreement. Under the agreement, Collins agreed to plead guilty to two counts of embezzling $26,804 in union funds; Collins must also make full restitution to the union. The remaining two counts of the indictment charging Collins with falsification of union records will be dismissed. Collins was indicted on May 22, 2002, following a joint investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office and the FBI.
July 11th, 2003On July 11, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Steve Morris, former Treasurer of IBEW Local 109, was sentenced to 6 months of home detention and 4 years probation. He previously made restitution of $84,485. In addition, Morris was ordered to undergo rehabilitation and to pay a $3,000 fine. He was previously charged with embezzling $68,017.35 in union funds on January 29, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office. Morris pled guilty to the charge on February 10, 2003.
June 26th, 2003On June 26, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Debra Dougherty, former office secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers LU 648, pled guilty to bank fraud after being indicted on February 5, 2003, for embezzling $41,829.95 in union funds and bank fraud in the amount of $7,030.40 following an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
June 10th, 2003On June 10, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former secretary-treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 533, was sentenced to six months home confinement on electronic monitoring and five years supervised release. He was also fined $100 and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,450. He pled guilty to embezzling $14,450 in union funds on February 20, 2003 following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
February 20th, 2003On February 20, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 533 in Berwyn, Illinois, pled guilty to embezzling $14,450 in union funds between May 1997 and June 1999 (a change of plea). King was charged on January 24, 2003, following an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
January 24th, 2003On January 24, 2003, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Anthony King, former treasurer of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 533, was charged with embezzling $14,450 in union funds. An agreement has been reached in which King indicates he will plead guilty at a hearing scheduled on February 13. The charge was brought following a joint investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
December 18th, 2002On December 18, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, a plea agreement was filed in which Robert "Blackie" Emery, Sr., former secretary-treasurer for Electrical Workers, IBEW Local 429, pled guilty to one count of embezzling approximately $5,200 from Local 429 and one count of failure to file a required officer report, Form LM-30. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
November 8th, 2002On November 8, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, Michael E. Koehler, former business manager of Local 965 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), pled guilty to embezzling $135,197.75 in union funds. Koehler submitted false claims for the reimbursement of monies he claimed he had given to union members' families at funerals, for mileage and meal expenses that were never incurred, and for overtime he never worked. The charges were brought following an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
May 4th, 2001On May 4, 2001, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas, Britt Commons, former business manager of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1523, entered a plea of guilty to falsifying union records to conceal an embezzlement of $8,025 in union funds. The charges had been brought following an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.