Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
Criminal Enforcement Actions 2013
An indictment is a formal accusation or charge based on a finding by a Grand Jury that it is likely that the person charged committed the criminal offense described in the indictment and is the means by which an accused person (defendant) is brought to trial. An indictment raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
An information is a formal accusation of a crime by a government attorney rather than a Grand Jury. An information raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
A charge is an accusation of criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. As in all criminal cases, each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each count is a separate and distinct offense charged in an indictment or information.
A guilty plea is a defendant’s admission to the court that he or she committed the offense charged and an agreement to waive the right to a trial.
A conviction is a judgment based on a jury’s verdict, judge’s finding, or the defendant’s admission that the defendant is guilty of the crime charged.
A sentence is a judicial determination of the punishment to be imposed on an individual who has plead guilty or has been convicted by a jury or judge of a criminal offense.
On May 17, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, Robert L. Carr, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer and Business Manager of Plumbers Local 228 (located in Yuba City, Calif.), was sentenced to 30 months in prison, and his wife, Theresa A. Carr, was sentenced to 3 months in prison. The Carrs were also ordered to pay $120,000 in restitution. On February 17, 2012, the Carrs pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to misappropriate labor union funds and two counts of misappropriation of labor union funds. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
On May 16, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Owen Smith, former Secretary-Treasurer for Civilian Technicians Association Chapter 117 (located in Jacksonville, Ark.), was sentenced to three years probation, assessed a $100 special assessment, and ordered to pay $18,023 in restitution. On October 18, 2012, Smith pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $18,012. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On May 14, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Duane Rill, Secretary-Treasurer of Berry Metal Employees’ Association (located in Cranberry, Pa.) was indicted for embezzlement of $13,496.00 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On May 14, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Johnny Torres, Jr., former Financial Secretary of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics and Allied Workers Local 259 (located in Waco, Tex.), was indicted for embezzlement of $9,947 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On May 13, 2013, in the United States District Court for the State of New Jersey, Stephen P. Arena, former President of Novelty and Production Workers Local 148 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to six months in jail and six months home confinement for embezzlement of union funds. Arena has made full restitution of $193,000 to the union, but was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine to the court. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 8, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, William Mochrie, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 04-28 (located in Castleton, N.Y.), had an information filed against him for falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On May 6, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, MelodyWouden, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2342 (located in Ft. Meade, S.D.), was sentenced to six months unsupervised probation. On January 15, 2013, Wouden pled guilty to one count of larceny in an amount under $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 7(3) and 661. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On May 3, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Malvin J. Bergeron, former President and Secretary Treasurer of Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) Local 537M (formerly located in Marrero, La.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of $4,041.88 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On May 2, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Connie Sayne, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3050 (located in Hagerstown, Ind.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $25,699.53, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Sayne was sentenced the same date to three years probation, six months home monitoring, ordered to make restitution in the amount of $25,699.53, and was fined $100. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On May 1, 2013, in New Jersey Superior Court, Cumberland County, Maria Navarro, former Secretary-Treasurer of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics, and Allied Workers (GMP) Local 219 (located in Millville, N.J.), was indicted on one count of forgery, 2C:21-a(1); one count of theft, 2C:20-3, in the amount of $13,729 in union funds; and one count of uttering, 2C:21-1b. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia District Office.
On May 1, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Michael Zaborski, former Secretary-Treasurer for United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1962 (located in Fremont, Ohio), was indicted on one count of embezzlement in the amount of $41,226.54. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On April 24, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Oscar Berry, former President of Glass, Molders, Pottery, Plastics, and Allied Workers Union (GMP) Local 284 (located in Longview, Tex.), signed a plea agreement and pled guilty to one count of embezzling $124,181.77 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On April 23, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wayne Patrick Boudoin, former President of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 709 (located in Houma, La.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $16,367.96, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On April 19, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Tracey R. Tigner, former office secretary for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 91 (located in Merrillville, Ind.), pled guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On February 7, 2013, Tigner was indicted on the same charge. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 16, 2013 in the Superior Court of Huntington County, Indiana, Charlotta Hammons, former representative of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2209 (located in Roanoke, Ind.), was sentenced to one year probation, with 120 days on house arrest/electronic monitoring, and ordered to pay various fees and costs totaling $266. Hammons had previously made restitution in the amount of $1329 to the union. On March 5, 2013, Hammons pled guilty to one count of conversion. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On April 11, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Bonnie Nixon, former Secretary Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge W443 (located in Laurel, Miss.), pled guilty to one count of embezzling $15,981 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On April 10, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, Jeffrey Beresford, current Business Manager and Financial Secretary of Plumbers Local 83 (located in Wheeling, W.Va.), pled guilty to falsifying local union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On April 10, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, Joseph Grygorcewicz, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1566 (located in Tonawanda, N.Y.), was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to make full restitution and continue to undergo counseling for his gambling addiction. On November 29, 2012, Grygorcewicz pled guilty to embezzling $39,990 from the union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Buffalo District Office.
On April 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Grace Rathke, former office manager for Laborers Local 32 (located in Rockford, Ill.), was sentenced to 17 months of incarceration, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution of over $200,000. On January 3, 2013, Rathke pled guilty to embezzling over $190,000 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 9, 2013, in the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Wayne County, Michigan, Richard Ikerd, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2568 (located in Melvindale, Mich.), was sentenced to 90 days in jail, five years probation, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $16,065 and various fees and costs totaling $1,198. On October 10, 2012, Ikerd pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $1,000 or more but less than $20,000. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On April 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Hector Lopez, former President of Metal Polishers Local 8A-28A (located in Long Island City, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349, and one count of tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201. The plea agreement requires Lopez to make restitution totaling over $1.1 million. He will be sentenced in August 2013. On September 18, 2012, Lopez was arrested and arraigned on a 15-count indictment that included a charge of conspiracy to embezzle $750,000 from the local’s employee benefit plan. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Employment Benefits Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division.
On April 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, Patricia Race, former President of United Auto Workers Local 959 (located in Fremont, Ohio), was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered to pay a $250 fine. On November 21, 2012, an information was filed charging Race with one count of filing a false LM-3 report. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cleveland District Office.
On April 8, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, Barbara Ellen Holland, a former bookkeeper/secretary of Plumbers Local 62 (located in Castroville, Calif.), was charged in a one-count information with false entry in or willful concealment of books and records (Class A misdemeanor), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco District Office.
On April 8, 2013, in the Hamilton County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas, Cynthia Yancey, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3840 (located in Cincinnati, Ohio), was indicted on one count of theft of union funds in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(1). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On April 8, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Caleb Gray-Burriss, founder and President of the National Association of Special Police and Security Officers (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 76 months in prison followed by 36 months of supervised probation. Gray-Burriss was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and to pay restitution to the union of $252,376.42. On December 4, 2012, Gray-Burriss was found guilty by a jury following a trial on 18 counts, including six counts of mail fraud for theft from the union’s pension plan, six counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, one count of criminal contempt, one count of tampering with a witness by corrupt persuasion, one count of failure to file LM reports, one count of filing false LM reports, and one count of failing to maintain union records. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On April 5, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Cora Carper, former clerical employee of the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers (located in Lanham, Md.), pled guilty to embezzling at least $200,000 from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). Carper admitted writing checks to cash from the union’s political action committee fund and making false entries in the union’s computerized ledger that indicated that the checks were written for donations to political candidates, expense reimbursements, or conference expenses. On November 14, 2012, Carper was indicted for embezzling $502,586 from the union. The final loss amount will be determined at sentencing on June 4, 2013. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 4, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Annie Walker, former Vice President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was sentenced to eight months home confinement, five years probation, participation in a financial education program, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment and restitution totaling $27,098.62. On November 29, 2012, Walker pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On March 28, 2013, in the Superior Court of Dougherty County, Georgia, William Price, former Secretary-Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1762 (located in Albany, Ga.), was charged with one count of theft by taking by a fiduciary of a value in excess of $25,000, in violation of Georgia Code Title 16, 16-8-2. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta District Office.
On March 28, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Frank Rysz, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1124 (located in New Stanton, Pa.), was sentenced to three years of probation and five months home confinement, and was ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $4,914. On November 16, 2012, Rysz pled guilty to a one count indictment for embezzling $12,514.91 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 27, 2013, in the Rock County Wisconsin District Court, Lyle Vance, former President of American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 412-U (located in Beloit, Wis.), pled no contest to theft in a business setting of less than or equal to $2,500, in violation of Wisconsin State Statute 943.20(1)(b). Vance was sentenced to pay a $250 fine and was ordered to make full restitution in the amount of $794.56, plus court costs. The conviction and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Milwaukee District Office.
On March 27, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Britta Duncan, former Secretary-Treasurer for International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 5 (located in Portland, Ore.), was charged with embezzling $43,500 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and with the falsification of financial documents and the failure to file required reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a) and (c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On March 22, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Rufino Sanchez, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R3-10 (formerly located in Ronkonoma, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud resulting in a loss of union funds in the amount of $18,565 in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office.
On March 21, 2013, in the United States District Court for the State of New Jersey, David Caivano, former Treasurer of Novelty Workers Local 148 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), was sentenced to three years probation on one count of taking unauthorized loans in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503(a) and (c). Caivano must make restitution in the amount of $110,000 to the local union. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 20, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, an information was filed against Perry Dino Martini, former Financial Secretary of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) Local ZME (located in Memphis, Tenn.), charging him with one count of possession of a forged security in violation of 18 U.S.C 513(a). The information follows an investigation by the OLMS Nashville District Office.
On March 20, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Charles E. Rocha, former political director of the United Steelworkers (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.) pled guilty to one count of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) in the amount of $418.68 for a trip to Detroit for a Stanley Cup hockey game which included expenses for mileage, per diem, and two hotel rooms. Rocha acknowledged responsibility for the other 17 counts of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) in the 18 count indictment. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On March 19, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Paulette McClure, former Financial Treasurer for the United Government Security Officers of America Local 36, (located in Pattison, Miss.), pled guilty to a two-count indictment of embezzling $8,166.13 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and forgery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(a). The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On March 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Jacquelyn Pugh-Rodgers, former Vice President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2107 (located in North Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341. Pugh-Rodgers was previously indicted on July 17, 2012 with one count of embezzlement of more than $1,000 on a federal enclave in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661 and two counts of mail fraud. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On March 15, 2013, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts BMC Department, Boston, Massachusetts, James Dalton, former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Carpenters Northeast Regional Council of Millwrights (located in Allston, Mass.), was indicted on one count of larceny over $250, totaling $15,297, in violation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 266, Section 30. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On March 12, 2013, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce, Katrina Hall, a former Secretary-Treasurer for Maintenance of Way Employees Lodge 389 (located in Puyallup, Wash.) was sentenced to 30 days in jail, six months probation, fined $500, and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $10,995. Hall pled guilty to a single count of theft in the 1st degree in violation of WA RCW 9A.56.020 (1)(b)/9A.56.030 (1)(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On March 7, 2013, in the 377th Judicial District Court of Victoria County, Larry Lanier Lacy, former Secretary-Treasurer for United Transportation Union (UTU) Local 1205 (located in League City, Tex.), was charged with one count of felony theft, in the amount of $64,110.03, and one count of felony misappropriation of fiduciary/financial property, in violation of Texas Statutes 31.03 and 32.45. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On March 1, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Dawn Carson, former office manager for United Brotherhood of Carpenters Local 247 (located in Portland, Ore.) was charged via information with one count of embezzling $6,900 in union funds in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On March 1, 2013, in the Ross County Court of Common Pleas (Ohio), Jill Ragland, former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) Chapter 782 (located in Chillicothe, Ohio), was sentenced to one day in the Ross County Jail, one year of probation, 40 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,385 and a $250 fine. On December 18, 2012, Ragland pled guilty to one count of theft, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On February 27, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, Sofia Gonzalez, former bookkeeper for Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 95 (located in Seattle, Wash.), was charged with embezzling $40,087 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On February 26, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Kevin Jones, former President of the Metropolitan Campus Police Officers Union (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 20 weekends of incarceration, 120 days of electronic monitoring, and four years of probation. Jones was also ordered to pay restitution of $28,504.27. On November 6, 2012, Jones pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On 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.
On February 21, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, James Killingsworth and Billie Jo Killingsworth, former President and former Treasurer, respectively, of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84555 (located in Webberville, Mich.), each pled guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $19,197.02, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The pleas follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On February 20, 2013, in the Circuit Court of Fauquier County, Virginia, Daniel Kramer, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Local I-45 (located in Newport News, Va.), pled guilty to one count of disorderly conduct, in violation of Virginia Code 18.2-415, for stealing $472.73 from the union. Kramer was then sentenced to 12 months in jail, all of which was suspended, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay a fine of $2,500, of which $2,000 was suspended. Kramer was also barred from holding a position in the union for 13 years. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On February 20, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Robert Stephenson, former Secretary Treasurer of Machinists Local 2903 (located in Westville, Ind.), was sentenced to one year of supervised probation including six months of home confinement and was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine. On November 13, 2012, Stephenson pled guilty to one count of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b), by failing to disclose over $18,000 of union funds that he disbursed for his personal use. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On February 19, 2013, in the 290th Judicial District Court of Bexar County, WD Whiting, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1757 (located in San Antonio, Tex.), was charged with one count of felony theft, with an aggregate value of $1,500 or more but less than $20,000, and one count of felony misappropriation of fiduciary/financial property, in violation of Texas Statues 31.03 and 32.45. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New Orleans District Office.
On February 14, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Federck C. Petro, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2094 (located in New York, N.Y.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds on a federal enclave, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.
On February 13, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, John McNamee, President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 829 (located in New York, N.Y.), was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment, two years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $25,000 fine. On October 16, 2012, McNamee pled guilty to one count of embezzlement in the amount of $150,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office.
On February 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Frank Juarez, former President of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 6768 (located in Plano, Tex.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $21,290.73, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On February 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, Tracey R. Tigner, former office secretary for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) District Council 91 was charged with embezzling union funds from IUPAT Local 460 (located in Merrillville, Ind.), in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On February 1, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Lawrence E. Minas, former General Chairman for United Transportation Union (UTU) General Committee of Adjustment 449 (located in Munster, Ind.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and was ordered to pay 10% of his monthly income in restitution. On September 20, 2012, Minas pled guilty to a one-count information for embezzling union funds in the amount of $71,160, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office.
On January 28, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Dorris Taylor, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2730 (located in St. Louis, Mo.), was sentenced to five years of probation and was ordered to pay $27,098.62 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 1, 2012, Taylor pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 28, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Los Angeles, a jury found Tyrone Ricky Freeman, former President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Locals 6434 and 434-B (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), guilty of four counts of mail fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341; seven counts of embezzlement and/or theft of labor union assets, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c); one count of making a false statement to a federally insured financial institution, in violation of 18 U.S.C 1014; and two counts of subscribing to a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(1) following a 10-day trial. On July 31, 2012, Freeman was indicted by a federal grand jury. The sentencing is scheduled for April 22, 2013. The guilty verdict follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service.
On January 25, 2013, in the United States District Court in New Jersey, David J. Caivano, former Secretary-Treasurer of Novelty Workers Local 148 (located in Jersey City, N.J.), pled guilty to taking unauthorized loans in excess of $2,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 503 (a) and (c). The sentencing is scheduled for April 2013. The plea follows an investigation by OLMS New York District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 24, 2013, in the Circuit Court for the County of Henrico, Virginia, Timothy Shell, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE) Division 561 (located in Richmond, Va.), was sentenced to four years and 60 days in jail with four years of the jail term suspended and seven years of probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $17,326.62. On October 30, 2012, Shell pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of $200 or more, in violation of Virginia Code 18.2-111. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On January 24, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Curtis Reed, former staff representative of the Steelworkers International Union (located in Pittsburgh, Pa.), was sentenced to eight months of incarceration to run concurrent with a sentence he is currently serving in the state of Minnesota. On September 18, 2012, Reed pled guilty to a one count indictment for embezzling $3,694.32 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). He previously paid full restitution of $3,694.32. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Pittsburgh District Office.
On January 17, 2013, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Clark, David Currie, former President and Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2583 (located in Vancouver, Wash.), pled guilty to a single count of theft in the 2nd degree, in violation of WA RCW 9A.56.020 (1)(a)/9A.56.040 (1)(a). Currie was then sentenced to 30 days in jail and was ordered to pay restitution totaling $6,552 and a $500 fine. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On January 16, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, Melissa A. Gustafson, former bookkeeper for International Union of Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers - Communications Workers of America (IUE-CWA) Local 84110 (located in Davenport, Iowa and Moline, Ill.), was charged with embezzling $12,059.37 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS St. Louis District Office.
On January 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Joya Mills, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2500 (located in Detroit, Mich.), was sentenced to one year of probation, 50 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. Mills previously paid restitution in the amount of $11,600. On October 3, 2012, Mills pled guilty to one count of failure to maintain union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit District Office.
On January 15, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota, Melody Wouden, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2342 (located in Ft. Meade, S.D.), pled guilty to one count of larceny in an amount under $1,000, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 7(3) and 661. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Minneapolis Resident Investigator Office.
On January 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Christopher S. Stansbury, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1765 (located in Chicago, Ill.), pled guilty to embezzlement in a federal enclave for taking $499 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 661. On December 19, 2012, an information was filed charging Stansbury with the same crime. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of the Inspector General.
On January 9, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, Northern Division, Shelia S. Brown, former Treasurer of National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) Chapter 67 (located in Ogden, Utah), was charged in a two-count indictment for embezzling $20,705.21 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(A), theft from a program receiving federal funds. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver District Office.
On January 9, 2013, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, BMC Department, David Beard, President of Laborers Local 381 (located in Charlestown, Mass.), pled to sufficient facts to a Continuance Without a Finding (CWOF) for three counts of Larceny Over $250, in violation of Massachusetts General Law c266 s30. Beard agreed to make restitution in the amount of $7,709. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
On January 8, 2013, in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, Chad Petras, former Secretary Treasurer of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 342C (located in Rising Sun, Ind.), was indicted on one count of theft of union funds in the amount of $1,000 or more, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(2)[F5]. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Aundrea Valerio, former dispatcher for Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 872 (located in Las Vegas, Nev.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement, five years of probation, and was ordered to pay $13,000 in restitution. On September 19, 2012, Valerio pled guilty to two counts of embezzling union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c), and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On January 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, Ava Ramey, former trustee of United Government Security Officers of America (UGSOA) Local 21 (located in Bowie, Md.), was sentenced to two years in prison followed by three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture in the amount of $379,000. On June 25, 2012, Ramey pled guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On January 7, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Connie Sayne, former Financial Secretary of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 3050 (located in Hagerstown, Ind.), was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $25,699.53, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati District Office.
On January 4, 2013, in the Superior Court of Washington, County of Pierce, Katrina Hall, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Lodge 389 (located in Puyallup, Wash.), was charged in an information with one count of theft in the 1st degree, in violation of WA RCW 9A.56.020 (1)(b)/9A.56.030 (1)(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Seattle District Office.
On January 4, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Cleo Wilson, former Secretary-Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 1856 (located in Dallas, Tex.), was sentenced to 12 months of incarceration, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay full restitution of $29,856.19 and a $100 special assessment. On March 19, 2012, Wilson pled guilty to embezzling union funds in the amount of $29,856.19, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On January 3, 2013, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Grace Rathke, former office manager for Laborers Local 32 (located in Rockford, Ill.), pled guilty to one count of embezzlement of union funds totaling over $190,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). On August 2, 2011, Rathke was indicated on 10 counts of embezzling approximately $200,000 in union funds beginning in November 2004 and continuing until March 2009. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Chicago District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 2, 2013, in the State of Texas, 396th District Court in Tarrant County, Kady Tucker, former office secretary for Transport Workers Local 575 (located in Euless, Tex.), was charged with one count of intent to defraud or harm another, possess with intent to pass a forged writing knowing such writing to be forged. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas District Office.
On January 2, 2013, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, BMC Department, Linda Weed, former office secretary for Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 534 (located in Boston, Mass.), was charged with one count of larceny over $250 totaling $7,294.73, in violation of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 266, Section 30. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston District Office.
Last Updated: 5-13-13
