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.

Date	Description
October 10th, 2022	On October 10, 2022, in the Bexar County Judicial District Court, Jeannette Simmons, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Southwest Gulf Coast Regional Council (located in San Antonio, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of misapplication of fiduciary property in the amount greater than $30,000 and less than $150,000, in violation of Texas Statute 32.45. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
November 17th, 2020	On November 17, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), was sentenced to 12 months of home confinement with electronic monitoring and three years of supervised release. Garcia was also ordered to pay $119,021 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On June 23, 2020, Garcia pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
June 23rd, 2020	On June 23, 2020, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Angel Luis Garcia, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1614 (located in Dover, N.J.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $117,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
February 23rd, 2017	On February 23, 2017, in the Dakota County (Minnesota) District Court, William Winecke, former Treasurer of the Soo Line Locomotive and Car ForemenÄôs Association (located in Apple Valley, Minn.), pled guilty to one count of theft by swindle of more than $35,000, in violation of Minnesota State Statute 609.52.2(4). On the same date, Winecke was sentenced to 30 days of confinement and four years of probation, and he was also ordered to pay $12,536 in restitution and $504 in fees. Winecke previously made restitution in the amount of $29,000. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
August 11th, 2016	On August 11, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Johnny Wilson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was sentenced to 18 months of confinement, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $120,352 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On March 30, 2016, Wilson pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $120,352, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
March 30th, 2016	On March 30, 2016, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Johnny L, Wilson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1338 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was charged and pled guilty to a one-count information of embezzling $120,352 in union funds, 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.
September 14th, 2015	On September 14, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Richard Johnson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1433 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay $273,489 in restitution and a $425 special assessment. On June 2, 2015, Johnson pled guilty to a five-count information for Embezzlement of Union Assets (three counts), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); Forgery (one count), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and False Reporting (one count), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Phoenix Resident Investigative Office and the Internal Revenue Service.
June 2nd, 2015	On June 2, 2015, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Richard Johnson, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1433 (located in Phoenix, Ariz.), was charged with three counts of embezzlement of union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a); and one count of false reporting, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The charges relate to an embezzlement scheme that resulted in a loss of $273,489 in union assets. Johnson then pled guilty to all five counts. The charges and plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
February 3rd, 2014	On February 3, 2014, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Adam Raimer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1027 (located in Fresno, Calif.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay the remaining restitution amount of $18,429 and a $200 special assessment. Raimer had previously paid restitution in the amount of $23,000. On September 20, 2013, Raimer pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $41,429, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and one count of access device fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1029(a)(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle Office.
December 1st, 2012	On December 1, 2012, Claude Huff, former President and Business Manager of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1385 in Dayton, Ohio, was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $110,348. In September 2012, Huff pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds. The investigation disclosed that between 2004 and 2010, Huff embezzled union funds through unauthorized checks to himself for salary, vacation pay, and sick leave. Huff also altered union financial records in an attempt to conceal his actions.
September 4th, 2012	On September 4, 2012, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Claude Huff, former Business Manager/President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1385 (located in Dayton, Ohio), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The amount will not exceed $110,348.49. On February 14, 2012, Huff was indicted for the same charge. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
June 21st, 2011	On June 21, 2011, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donald Kotouch, former President and Business Agent of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1738 (located in Latrobe, Pa.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,806.27 and one count of falsifying union records. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
April 21st, 2011	On April 21, 2011, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Terri Dunkelberger, former Financial Secretary Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1356 (located in Sioux Falls, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of a superseding indictment and admitted to embezzling $11,648.98 from Local 1356. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office and Milwaukee District Office.
August 5th, 2010	On August 5, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Union’s New York State Legislative Conference Board and former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transit Union Local 1342 (located in Buffalo, N.Y.), was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration, three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $215,527.74. On February 16, 2010, Pokrywczynski pled guilty to embezzling approximately $71,000 from Transit Union, Local 1342 and approximately $183,000 from the Transit Union’s New York State Legislative Conference Board between January 2002 and March 2008 while serving as treasurer of both labor organizations. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
July 8th, 2010	On July 8, 2010, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Joseph Moon, former President of ATU Local 1626 (located in Edison, N. J.), was sentenced to five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay a $25 fine. Also, Moon was ordered to make restitution to Local 1626 in the amount of $14,285. On September 10, 2009, Moon pled guilty to one count of receiving an improper loan from a labor organization. Between April of 2004 and August of 2008, Moon obtained $14,931 in unapproved loans from the local’s checking account. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
February 16th, 2010	On February 16, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Thomas Pokrywczynski, former Treasurer of the Transit Union’s New York State Legislative Conference Board and former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Transit Union Local 1342 (located in Buffalo, N.Y.), pled guilty to embezzling approximately $71,000 from Transit Union, Local 1342 and approximately $183,000 from the Transit Union’s New York State Legislative Conference Board between January 2002 and March 2008 while serving as treasurer of both labor organizations. On August 21, 2009, Pokrywczynski was charged with embezzling $277,548.72 from the two labor organizations. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
February 11th, 2010	On February 11, 2010, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Milton Smith, a former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, was sentenced to fifteen months incarceration, three years supervised release and order to pay $21,000 in restitution. On February 6, 2009, Smith was found guilty of extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as the New York City school bus industry, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
December 14th, 2009	On December 14, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicholas Maddalone and Paul Maddalone, former Executive Board Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents school bus drivers in New York City), were sentenced to ten months incarceration, two years supervised release, and ordered to make restitution, respectively, in the amount of $45,000 and $31,000. The Maddalones pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for their participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
December 11th, 2009	On December 11, 2009, in the Criminal District Court Number 6, Dallas County, Texas, Bobby Earl Williams, former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1635 (formerly located in Dallas, Texas), pled guilty to check forgery. Williams was sentenced to twelve months deferred probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75, a fine of $1,000, and court costs of $194.00. In lieu of community service hours, Williams was also ordered to make a $175 monetary donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
November 17th, 2009	On November 17, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Ruth R. Olson, former Financial Secretary of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1225 (located in Marina, Calif.), was sentenced to four years probation, 200 hours community service, and ordered to pay $12,904.56 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On July 9, 2009, Olson pled guilty to one count of making a false entry in books and records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
September 10th, 2009	On September 10, 2009, in the Criminal District Court Number 6, Dallas County, Texas, Janice Muriel Williams, wife of Bobby Earl Williams, former president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1635 (formerly located in Dallas, Texas), pled guilty to check forgery. Williams was sentenced to twelve months probation and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $75.00, a fine of $1000, and court costs. On April 23, 2008, Williams was indicted on one count of forgery totaling $1,431. The plea and sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
September 10th, 2009	On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Joseph Moon Jr., former President of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1626, pled guilty to a criminal information for one count of improper loans from a labor organization. Moon obtained in excess of $2,000 from Local 1626 in the form of unapproved loans totaling $14,931. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
September 10th, 2009	On September 10, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Nicholas Maddalone and Paul Maddalone, former Executive Board Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents school bus drivers in New York City), pled guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion for participation in a scheme, along with other union officials, to use their union positions and the fear of economic harm to obtain cash bribes from employers. The pleas follow a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
May 26th, 2009	On May 26, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Neil Cremin, a former New York City Department of Education (DOE) School Bus Inspector, was sentenced to four months incarceration to be followed by four months of home confinement and ordered to make restitution of $30,000 to the DOE. On February 6, 2009, Cremin pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The sentencing follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
February 6th, 2009	On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Neil Cremin and Ira Sokol, former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspectors, pled guilty to accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The pleas follow a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City) as well as the New York City school bus industry by the OLMS New York District Office, Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
February 6th, 2009	On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, George Ortiz, former New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, pled guilty to extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The plea follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as New York City school bus companies , by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
February 6th, 2009	On February 6, 2009, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Milton Smith, a New York City Department of Education School Bus Inspector, was found guilty of extorting and accepting bribes in a program receiving federal funds. The judgment follows a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers for school bus companies in New York City), as well as the New York City school bus companies, by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General, and the FBI.
December 30th, 2008	On December 30, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Luther L. Corey, former President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1197 (located in Jacksonville, Fla.), was sentenced to 180 days home confinement, four years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a special assessment of $100 and make restitution in the amount of $16,288.37. On October 1, 2008, Corey pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the same amount. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
October 1st, 2008	On October 1, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Luther L. Corey, former President of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1197 (located in Jacksonville, Fla.), pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $16,288.37.On March 26, 2008, Corey was charged with embezzling union funds in the same amount. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
July 30th, 2008	On July 30, 2008, in the County Court of Adams County, Colorado, William J. Kohut, former Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1755 (located in Westminster, Col.), was sentenced to five years probation and, 150 hours of community service and ordered to make restitution in the amount of $3,046.68. On March 7, 2008, Kohut pled guilty to one count of forgery and incidental crimes. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
June 26th, 2008	On June 26, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Battaglia, former President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (located in New York, NY), the primary union that represents drivers and escorts for school bus companies in New York City, was sentenced to fifty-seven months imprisonment and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine, $180,000 in restitution and forfeit $25,000. On January 18, 2008, Battaglia pled guilty to participating in the conduct of the affairs of a racketeering enterprise in violation of 18 USC 1962 (c). Battaglia’s act included the extortion of bus company owners. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
May 13th, 2008	On May 13, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, New York City School Bus Inspectors Neil Cremin, George Ortiz (retired), Milton Smith and Ira Sokol, were arrested following indictments for conspiracy to accept bribes, extortion, and bribery in a program that receives federal funds. On May 13, 2008 the four inspectors were arrested and entered pleas of not guilty. The charges follow a joint investigation of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 (the primary union that represents drivers and escorts for school bus companies in New York City) by the OLMS New York District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
March 7th, 2008	On March 7, 2008, in the County Court of Adams County, Colorado, William J. Kohut, former Treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1755, pled guilty to a one count felony charge of forgery. On May 23, 2007, Kohut was charged with theft (one count), identity theft (one count), unauthorized use of a financial transaction device (one count), and forgery (one count), in connection with his alleged conversion of union funds totaling $2,839.65. The plea follows an investigation by the Denver District Office.
January 18th, 2008	On January 18, 2008, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Salvatore Battaglia, former President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181, the primary union that represents drivers and escorts for school bus companies in New York City, pled guilty to participating in the conduct of the affairs of a racketeering enterprise in violation of 18 USC 1962 (c). Battaglia’s act included the extortion of bus company owners. The plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the FBI, and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector General.
November 26th, 2002	On November 26, 2002, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, a plea agreement was filed in which Laura L. McClurg, former secretary-treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1195, agreed to plead guilty to one count of concealing union records after a $2,295 shortage of union funds was uncovered. An information was filed on September 3, 2002, following an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.