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 December 18, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Phelton Woods, former Treasurer of the Columbus School Employees Association (CSEA), located in Columbus, Ohio, was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (time served) and three years of supervised release. Woods was also ordered to pay $58,385 in remaining restitution and a $100 special assessment. Woods previously paid $2,300 in restitution. On July 26, 2023, Woods pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud for embezzling $60,685, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On December 12, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Summit County, Ohio, John Morter, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4484 (located in Akron, Ohio), was charged with one count of theft of more than one thousand dollars and less than seven thousand five-hundred dollars, in violation of Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 2913.02(A)(3) and 2913.02(B)(2); and one count of misuse of credit cards, in violation of ORC 2913.21(B)(2) and 2913.21(D)(3). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On December 7, 2023, 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 four-week trial of one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan, 33 counts of embezzlement of union funds, 22 counts of wire fraud theft from the union, two counts of wire fraud theft from political action committee, two counts of filing a false LM report, two counts of falsifying union records, and four counts of filing false federal income tax returns in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1343, 29 U.S.C. 439(b) 29 U.S.C. 439(c), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1). The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On December 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Brian Burrows, former President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 (located in Philadelphia, Pa.), was found guilty following a four-week trial of one count of conspiracy to embezzle from a labor union and employee benefits plan, 13 counts of embezzlement of union funds, two counts of filing a false LM report, two counts of falsifying union records, and three counts of filing false federal income tax returns in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 29 U.S.C. 439(b), 29 U.S.C. 439(c), and 26 U.S.C. 7206(1) respectively. The guilty verdict follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.
On December 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos C. Sanchez-Ortiz, former President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), and former Vice President of the ILA International, was sentenced to three years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. On September 25, 2023, Sanchez-Ortiz pleaded guilty to one count of labor racketeering conspiracy (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). In his plea agreement, Sanchez-Ortiz admitted that he participated in a scheme to collect unlawful payments from shipping companies (employers) at the piers, and that those unlawful payments were concealed in part through a company called “JCPY.” The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On December 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jorge I. Batista-Maldonado, Supervisor of the Puerto Rico Port Authority (located in San Juan, P.R.), was sentenced to two years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution. On September 25, 2023, Batista-Maldonado pleaded guilty to one count of labor racketeering conspiracy (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On December 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos A. Hernandez-Laguer, a member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), was sentenced to serve one year of probation. He was also ordered to pay $3,567 in restitution. On September 25, 2023, Hernandez-Laguer pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convert funds and falsify the records of an ILA Local 1740 benefit fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On December 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Gary F. Fridley II, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8621 (located in Nitro, W.Va.), was sentenced to three years of probation. Fridley was also ordered to pay $19,732 in restitution and a $100 assessment. On May 10, 2023, Fridley pleaded 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 Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On December 1, 2023, in Ingham County, Michigan Circuit Court, John D. Greathouse, Editor of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 488-489 (located in Lansing, Mich.), was charged with one count of false pretenses of $1,000 or more, but less than $20,000, in violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.218(4)(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office and the Michigan State Police.
On November 30, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), was sentenced to three years’ probation and 200 hours of community service, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $17,328 and a $100 special assessment. On February 7, 2023, Landin pleaded 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.
On November 29, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ray La Vondie Williams, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9-2140-S (located in Birmingham, Ala.) was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $68,325 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On June 27, 2023, Williams pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $68,325, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On November 21, 2023, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, Christopher Petteruti, former Treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), pleaded no contest to two counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-4-3. Petteruti was then sentenced to five years of probation (deferred) and ordered to pay $37,063 in restitution. The plea and sentence follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On November 20, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Howard Reed, Jr., former Business Representative/Treasurer of Roofers Local 203 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), was sentenced to five years’ probation and ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $11,532 and a $50 fee. Reed previously made restitution of at least $10,000. On March 8, 2023, Reed pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree, in violation of Section 155.30 of the Penal Law of the State of New York. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On November 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pastrana Gonzalez, a member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $242,042 in restitution. On August 16, 2023, Pastrana Gonzalez pleaded guilty to one count of labor racketeering conspiracy (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). In his plea agreement, Pastrana-Gonzalez admitted that he participated in a scheme to collect unlawful payments from shipping companies (employers), and that those unlawful payments were concealed in part through a company called “JCPY,” which he was the president of since 2012. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On November 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Iara I. Clemente-Rivera, a member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), was sentenced to three years’ probation and ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution. On August 16, 2023, Clemente-Rivera pleaded guilty to one count of labor racketeering conspiracy (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). In her plea agreement, Clemente-Rivera admitted that she participated in a scheme to collect unlawful payments from shipping companies (employers), and that she concealed those unlawful payments in part through a company called “JCPY,” which provided no services. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On November 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jose A. Fernandez Cruz, a member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), was sentenced to serve one year of supervised release. On August 21, 2023, Fernandez Cruz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convert funds and falsify the records of an ILA Local 1740 benefit fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico.
On November 15, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Eric Baxter, former President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4385 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), was sentenced to one year of community control supervision. He previously paid restitution of $2,780. On September 26, 2023, Baxter pleaded guilty to petty theft in the first degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(B)(2). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On November 9, 2023, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Doris Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 65 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), pleaded guilty to one count of Embezzlement – Fraudulent Misappropriation by a Fiduciary, in violation of Section 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code. Johnson was then sentenced to three years in prison (all suspended) and six years of supervised probation and was also ordered to pay $14,400 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation conducted by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On November 8, 2023, in the Washington County Circuit Court, Arkansas, Thomas Hill, former Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers State Association (NALC SA) (located in Fayetteville, Ark.), was charged in a two-count information with theft of property and forgery in the second degree resulting in a loss to the union totaling $82,204, in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated 5-36-103(b)(1)(A) and 5-37-201(c)(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On November 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Marie Noth, former Deputy Administrator of the trusteeship imposed on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 777 (located in Milwaukee, Wis.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization in the amount of $1,000, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On November 2, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Jason T. Weaver, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 1509 (located in Beckley, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On October 31, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Elizabeth Dawn Talavera, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3694 (located in Waddell, Ariz.), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud resulting in a loss to the union of $57,116 in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On October 31, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Khyle Sherman, former member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 325 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), was sentenced to five years’ probation, ordered to pay restitution of $26,250, and imposed a $50 fine. On May 11, 2023, Sherman pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, in violation of Section 155.35 of the Penal Law of the State of New York. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.
On October 31, 2023, in the State of Alaska’s first judicial district of Ketchikan, Michael Williams, former Secretary/Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 200, Unit 62 (located in Ketchikan, Alaska), was charged with one count of theft in the second degree, and one count of felony misapplication of property, in violation of Alaska State Criminal Code AS 11.46.130(a)(1) and AS 11.46.620(d)(1), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On October 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Elizabeth Dawn Talavera, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3694 (located in Waddell, Ariz.), was charged in an information with one count of wire fraud resulting in a loss to the union of $57,116 in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On October 11, 2023, in the Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Unit, Melissa Dickerson, former Secretary of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2604 (located in White River Junction, Vt.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 13 VSA 2531(a). She was ordered to pay $4,188 in restitution and placed on probation for one year. Dickerson’s sentence was suspended for one year. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On October 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Fred T. Lee, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 4071 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to one day of imprisonment (time served) and one year of supervised release. Lee was also ordered to pay $126,872 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 10, 2023, Lee pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.
On October 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Idaho, Tamlyn Leigh Ulin-Gilson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1273 (located in Boise, Idaho), was charged with one count of wire fraud for embezzling over $42,674 in union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. Ulin-Gilson then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On September 27, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Felix Luciano, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2805 (located in San Diego, Calif.), was sentenced to four months in prison. Luciano was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Luciano previously made restitution in the amount of $36,000. On June 15, 2023, Luciano pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
On September 26, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Eric Baxter, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4385 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), pleaded guilty to petty theft in the first degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(B)(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On September 26, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division, Denise Kovacs, former bookkeeper for Plumbers Local 803 (located in Orlando, Fla.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $304,903. On February 23, 2023, Kovacs pleaded guilty to embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office, Tampa Resident Investigator Office.
On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos Sanchez-Ortiz, President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), Puerto Rico ILA Council President, and ILA International Vice President pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jorge Batista-Maldonado, a Puerto Rico Ports Authority employee, pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Victor Torres-Barroso, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records in an employee benefits plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Carlos Hernandez-Laguer, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to willfully convert funds and falsify records in an employee benefits plan, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On September 20, 2023, in the Court of Montgomery County, Texas, Johnny Craig Alston, former Secretary-Treasurer of Locomotive Engineers Division 139 (located in Caldwell, Tex.), was charged with tampering with governmental records, in violation of Texas Penal Code 37.10(a)(1)(2). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Brian Gerald, former Financial Secretary of the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-189 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and 60 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $112,594 in restitution ($60,000 due within 60 days of the judgment) and a $100 special assessment. On April 24, 2023, Gerald pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor union, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, Brock A. Willson, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary of Roofers Local 182 (located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa), was indicted for four counts of bank fraud and six counts of embezzlement of union funds, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344 and 29 U.S.C. 501(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On September 13, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Western Division, Erin Allen, former Treasurer of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9-1384 (located in Summit, Miss.), was charged with embezzling $5,901 in union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On September 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Frank Loconte, former President of NER Construction Management Corporation, pleaded guilty to mail fraud and failure to pay taxes, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1341 and 26 U.S.C. 7202. NER is a Wilmington-based construction company that employed union workers, including members of Bricklayers Local 3 and various local unions affiliated with the Massachusetts and Northern New England Laborers’ District Council. From approximately January 2014 and May 2022, Loconte engaged in a scheme to defraud the union benefit funds and the IRS by paying certain of its union workers for overtime hours worked without reporting these hours to the union benefit funds and without making the required payroll tax withholdings and payments. The guilty plea follows a multi-agency investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Office of the Inspector General, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On September 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Andrea Anderson, former employee of the Brotherhood of Shoe and Allied Craftsmen (located in Lakeville, Mass.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization in the approximate amount of $39,169, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On August 21, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Jose A. Fernandez-Cruz, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convert funds and falsify the records of an ILA 1740 benefit fund, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On August 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pastrana-Gonzalez, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On August 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, Iara I. Clemente-Rivera, member of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1740 (located in San Juan, P.R.), pleaded guilty to labor racketeering (RICO Act), in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1962(d). The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS New York District Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On August 10, 2023, in the Montana First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County, Montana, Vanessa Brown, former Secretary Treasurer of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3570 (located in Helena, Mont.), was charged in a two-count information with theft and deceptive practices, in violation of MCA Section 45-6-301(1) and Section 45-6- 317(1). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On August 9, 2023, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Patrick Doherty, former plan administrator for Ironworkers Local 580 (located in New York, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the third degree, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.35. Doherty was then sentenced to three years of conditional release. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $24,131. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On August 2, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Byron Clemons, Sr., former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 124 (located in Alton, Ill.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 24 months of supervised release. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay $202,100 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On April 11, 2023, Clemons pleaded guilty to Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On August 2, 2023, in the Trial Court of Massachusetts, Wareham District Court, Brian Simmons, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 18 (located in Middleboro, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced for one count of larceny over $1,200 by a single scheme, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, 30. A continuance without a finding was issued on condition of three months of supervised release and payment of $902 in restitution. Simmons previously made restitution in the amount of $1,209. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On August 1, 2023, in the State of Montana County Court for Yellowstone County, Larry Burk, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 327 (located in Billings, Mont.), pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of theft/embezzlement, in violation of MCA 45-6- 301(6)[1]. He was sentenced on the same day and was ordered to pay $6,175 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On August 1, 2023, in the Steubenville (Ohio) Municipal Court, Cynthia M. Johnston, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2934 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was sentenced to 180 days in the Jefferson County Jail (suspended) and placed on unsupervised community control for a minimum of one year, not to exceed five years. She was also ordered to pay $772 in restitution and a $500 fine, and to complete 80 hours of community service. On July 13, 2023, Johnston pleaded no contest to a charge of petty theft, in violation of Steubenville Codified Ordinance 545.05A1. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On July 26, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Phelton Woods, former Treasurer of the Columbus School Employees Association (CSEA), located in Columbus, Ohio, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud for embezzling $60,685 from the union, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1344(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On July 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Brian Ahakuelo, former Business Manager/Financial Secretary for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1260 (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 140 months of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Ahakuelo also was ordered to pay restitution of $209,391, forfeiture judgment of $60,212, and a special assessment of $6,800. On November 21, 2022, following a 16-day jury trial, Ahakuelo was found guilty of 42 counts of wire fraud, 6 counts of embezzlement of union funds, 19 counts of money laundering, and 1 count of conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343, 29 U.S.C. 501(c), 18 U.S.C. 1957, and 18 U.S.C. 371. He and his wife, Marilyn Ahakuelo, the former IBEW Local 1260 community services director, along with four union employees, were found guilty of rigging a vote to increase membership dues after largely depleting the union’s coffers. The fraudulent election 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, and the State of Hawaii Attorney General’s Office.
On July 18, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Jacob Wilkins, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement of union funds in the approximate amount of $23,698 and two counts of false records and destruction of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On July 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Benton Ryals, Jr., former Financial Secretary of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1437 (located in Laurel, Miss.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation. He also was ordered to pay $32,936 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On October 3, 2022, Ryals pleaded guilty to one count of false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On July 14, 2023, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, Charles Farris, former President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 3975, New Castle Federation of Teachers (located in New Castle, Pa.), pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking-movable property, in violation of Pennsylvania Criminal Code 3921A. He was then sentenced to four years of probation and was ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office and the Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office.
On July 13, 2023, in the Steubenville (Ohio) Municipal Court, Cynthia M. Johnston, former Secretary-Treasurer of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2934 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pleaded no contest to a charge of petty theft, in violation of Steubenville Codified Ordinance 545.05A1. The plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On June 27, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Ray La Vondie Williams, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-2140S (located in Birmingham, Ala.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $68,325, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Tampa Resident Office.
On June 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), was sentenced to two years of probation. On March 16, 2023, Barnes pleaded guilty to one count of false entry in a union record, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On June 20, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Daniel Easterling, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 563 (located in Gardendale, Ala.), was sentenced to 12 months of probation and ordered to pay $9,796 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. Prior to sentencing, Easterling made restitution of $43,285. On February 21, 2023, Easterling pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On June 15, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California, Felix Luciano, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2805 (located in San Diego, Calif), pleaded guilty to one count of making false statements, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001. The guilty plea follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
On June 12, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Lisa Bennett, former Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 204 (located in Pascagoula, Miss.), was sentenced to six months of home confinement and three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $33,236 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On June 12, 2023, in the Commonwealth of Kentucky 46th Judicial Circuit, Division II, Meade Circuit Court, Kari Shelman, former Treasurer of Guards Local 15 (located in Louisville, Ky.), was charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking or disposition of property for embezzling $7,842 in union funds, in violation of KRS 514.030. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On June 6, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police, and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), was sentenced to five months in prison followed by six months of home detention and two years of supervised release. Toppert was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. Toppert made full restitution of $55,140 before sentencing. On February 9, 2023, Toppert pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling labor union funds, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.
On May 31, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Andra Parker, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) D.C. Department of Corrections (DOC) Labor Committee (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 30, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Kenneth Wynder Jr., former President of the Law Enforcement Employees Benevolent Association (LEEBA), located in New York, N.Y., and Andrew Brown, former LEEBA Benefits Coordinator, were found guilty following a five-day jury trial of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1349 and 18 U.S.C. 1343. Wynder was also convicted of conspiracy to evade federal taxes and federal tax evasion, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7201. The guilty verdicts follow an investigation by OLMS New York District Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations.
On May 19, 2023, in the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, Eric Baxter, President of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4385 (located in New Philadelphia, Ohio), was charged with two counts of theft, both felonies of the fifth degree, of $1,000 or more and less than $7,500, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(1) and 2913.02(B)(2), and 2913.02(A)(3) and 2913.02(B)(2), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On May 11, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Khyle Sherman, former member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 325 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the third degree, a Class D felony, in violation of NYS Penal Law Section 155.35. On March 6, 2023, Sherman, was indicted on four counts including grand larceny in the third degree, health care fraud in the third degree, forgery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35, 177.15, 170.10, and 170.25, respectively. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston- Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.
On May 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, Dawn Munoz, former outside bookkeeper for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1929 (located in El Paso, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting in the preparation and presentation of a false return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. 7206(2). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 10, 2023, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, Patrick Doherty, former plan administrator for Iron Workers Local 580 (located in New York, N.Y.), was charged with two counts of grand larceny in the third degree having a value of over $3,000 and two counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the third degree having a value of over $3,000, and two counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, in violation of New York Penal Law 155.35, 165.50, and 175.10, respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS New York District Office and the Employee Benefits Security Administration.
On May 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, Gary F. Fridley II, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8621 (located in Nitro, W.Va.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On May 8, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Terry Bean, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2401 (located in Prescott, Ariz.), was sentenced to 60 months of probation. Bean was also ordered to pay $80,351 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 14, 2022, Bean pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On May 3, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii, Charles Kimo Brown, former Secretary-Treasurer of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 142 Longshore Division (located in Honolulu, Hawaii), was sentenced to 24 months of imprisonment followed by one of year supervised release. Brown was also ordered to pay a $96,000 fine, $1,425 in forfeiture, and $250 in assessments. On November 1, 2022, Brown was found guilty following a non-jury trial of two counts of embezzling union funds and two counts of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Honolulu Resident Office.
On April 28, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Donald Fox, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), pleaded guilty to four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(b). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 25, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Muriel Newman, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2779 (located in Gainesville, Fla.), was charged in a nine-count indictment with eight counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343 and 18 U.S.C. 1519, respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Atlanta-Nashville District Office.
On April 25, 2023, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Crystal Mathis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812 (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 12 months in prison (all suspended) and three years of supervised probation. Mathis was also ordered to pay the remaining restitution of $10,782. On February 15, 2023, Mathis pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the first degree for embezzling $11,574 from the union, in violation of 22 D.C. Code Sections 3211 and 3212(a). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 24, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Brian Gerald, former Financial Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 13-189 (located in Bogalusa, La.), pleaded guilty to one count embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $143,977, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On April 20, 2023, in the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Doris Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 65 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), was charged with one count of theft having a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code Section 7-104. Johnson was previously charged on April 6, 2023, with one count of embezzlement, in violation of Maryland Criminal Code Section 7-113. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 12, 2023, in the Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit, County of Will, State of Illinois, Patrick King, former President of Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes, Division of International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED) Lodge 2401 (located in Cicero, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise, in violation of Illinois Compiled Statutes Chapter 720, Section 5/17-10.6(h). He was then sentenced to two days in jail (credited with one day served) and 24 months of probation. He was also ordered to pay $31,383 in restitution and a $1,059 fine. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee District Office.
On April 11, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, James Darin Boatman, former President of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 617 (located in Fort Madison, Iowa), was sentenced to two years of imprisonment followed by three years of supervision. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $74,231. On November 14, 2022, Boatman pleaded 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 Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 11, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Byron Clemons, Sr., former President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 124 (located in Alton, Ill.), was charged in a one-count information with interstate transportation of stolen money totaling $202,100, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 2314. He then pleaded guilty to the charge. The charge and guilty plea follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On April 10 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Fred T. Lee, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 4071 (located in Columbus, Ohio), pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.
On April 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Montana, Kyle Adcock, former President of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Local 220 (located in Helena, Mont.), was sentenced to 36 months of probation and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment. Adcock previously paid $28,213 in restitution. On November 14, 2022, Adcock pleaded guilty to one count of forging a security of an organization affecting interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 513(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS San Francisco-Seattle District Office.
On April 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Roger Harris, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3048 (located in Lompoc, Calif.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of supervised release. Harris was also ordered to pay $20,250 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On August 17, 2020, Harris pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office, the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Treasury’s Office of Inspector General for Tax Administration.
On April 6, 2023, in the District Court for Prince George's County, Maryland, Doris Johnson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 65 (located in Greenbelt, Md.), was charged with one count of embezzlement, in violation of Section 7-113 of the Maryland Criminal Code. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On April 5, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Richard DiArenzo, former Treasurer of Independent Spectrum Workers Union (ISWU), located in Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to 18 months of probation and 75 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay a $25 special assessment. On December 28, 2022, DiArenzo pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying union records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 439(c). The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Office.
On April 5, 2023, in the Concord District Court, Eric Carbonneau, former President of National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) Local R1-32 (located in Bedford, Mass.), admitted to sufficient facts and was sentenced for one count of larceny over $1,200, in violation of Massachusetts G.L. c. 266, 30. A continuance without a finding was issued on condition of one year of probation and payment of $2,984 in restitution. The plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office.
On 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 union’s 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 General’s Office.
On March 21, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, Fred T. Lee, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 4071 (located in Columbus, Ohio), was charged in a one-count information with wire fraud for embezzling $126,872 from a labor organization, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General.
On March 16, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Wilbert Barnes, former Recording Secretary of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1362 (located in Bogalusa, La.), 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 Dallas- New Orleans District Office.
On March 14, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, Laura Suzanna Wilson, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3694 (located in Waddell, Ariz.), was sentenced to three years of probation. She was also ordered to pay $10,019 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On December 14, 2022, Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On March 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, Attia Little, former property services division operations manager for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), located in Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by 24 months of supervised probation. Little also was ordered to pay $399,450 in restitution. On July 1, 2022, Little pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization and one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 18 U.S.C. 371, respectively, for embezzling $503,600. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On March 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lashawn Denise Richardson, former Secretary Treasurer of National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) Local 777 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment followed by two years of supervised release. She also was ordered to pay $51,657 in restitution and a $100 special assessment. On November 2, 2022, Richardson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Los Angeles District Office.
On March 6, 2023, in the State of New York County Court for Broome County, Khyle Sherman, former member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 325 (located in Binghamton, N.Y.), was indicted on four counts including grand larceny in the third degree, health care fraud in the third degree, forgery, and criminal possession of a forged instrument, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35, 177.15, 170.10, and 170.25, respectively. On October 2, 2022, Sherman was previously charged in a criminal complaint with one count grand larceny in the third degree in excess of $3,000, in violation of NYS Penal Law 155.35. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office, the Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office.
On March 6, 2023, in the Montgomery County, Ohio, Court of Common Pleas, Jesse Kehler, former Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 84758 (located in Dayton, Ohio), pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft for embezzling $54,354 in union funds, in violation of Ohio Revised Code 2913.02(A)(3). Kehler entered the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction program and was ordered to complete one to five years of supervision. He was also ordered to pay $24,359 in restitution and to enter a drug treatment facility. All criminal proceedings are stayed during the period of supervision. The resolution follows an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office and the Dayton, Ohio Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit.
On 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 Labor’s 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 General’s Office.
On February 23, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, James Bradley, an associate of a former employee of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) national union (located in Washington, D.C.), was sentenced to 15 months in prison, 36 months of probation, and 200 hours of community service. Bradley was also ordered to pay restitution of $205,421. On November 7, 2022, Bradley pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit embezzlement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371. The sentencing follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On February 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, Israel Valdivia, former Secretary-Treasurer of International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Local Lodge 2198 (located in Houston, Tex.), was charged with one count of embezzlement in the approximate amount of $85,863, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On February 22, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Matthew Archer, former Secretary-Treasurer of Laborers Local 1325 (formerly located in Indianapolis, Ind.), pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud for embezzling $91,951 in union funds and filing false LM reports, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1343. He was then sentenced to five years of probation and 50 hours of community service. He was ordered to pay $84,462 in restitution and a $200 special assessment. Archer previously paid $9,489 in restitution. The guilty plea and sentencing follow an investigation by the OLMS Cincinnati-Cleveland District Office.
On February 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Lisa Bennett, former Business Agent/Secretary Treasurer of Office of Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 204 (located in Pascagoula, Miss.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling $33,236 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On February 15, 2023, in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, Crystal Mathis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812 (located in Washington, D.C.), pleaded guilty to one count of theft in the first degree for embezzling $11,574 from the union, in violation of 22 D.C. Code Sections 3211 and 3212(a). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On February 14, 2023, in the State of Montana County Court for Yellowstone County, Larry Burk, former President of National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 327 (located in Billings, Mont.), was charged with felony theft/embezzlement exceeding $5,000, in violation of MCA 45-6-301(6)[5]. The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On February 14, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Donald Byers, former Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Division 287 (located in Ashville, Pa.), was indicted on one count of embezzling $45,373 in union funds and one count of falsification of records, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(c), respectively. The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Philadelphia-Pittsburgh District Office.
On February 9, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The government contends in the plea agreement that Toppert converted SPFPA money and assets with a total approximate value of $63,713 to his personal use. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.
On February 7, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Anthony Landin, former Secretary Treasurer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6110 (located in Laredo, Tex.), pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The guilty plea follows an investigation by the OLMS Dallas-New Orleans District Office.
On January 30, 2023, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, Dennis Stone, former President of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), was indicted with three counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-41-3, and six counts of filing a false tax return, in violation of R.I. General Laws 44-30-51(a) and 44-30-94(a)(1). The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 30, 2023, in the Providence Superior Court in Providence, Rhode Island, Christopher Petteruti, former Treasurer of Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Local Lodge 13 (located in North Providence, R.I.), was indicted with two counts of embezzlement over $100, in violation of R.I. General Laws 11-41-3. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Boston-Buffalo District Office and the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General.
On January 25, 2023, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Crystal Mathis, former President of American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1812 (located in Washington, D.C.), was charged with one count of theft in the first degree, in violation of D.C. Code 22-3211 and 22-3212(a). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Washington District Office.
On January 18, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, Donald Fox, former Secretary-Treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 1836 (located in Scottsbluff, Neb.), was indicted on one count of embezzlement of union funds in the amount of $24,620 and four counts of filing false reports, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c) and 29 U.S.C. 439(b), respectively. The indictment follows an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
On January 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Albert Jennings Jr., former Secretary-Treasurer of Transportation Communications Union (TCU) Lodge 6061 (located in Roanoke, Va.), was sentenced to six months in prison, three months of home detention, one year of probation, and 300 hours of community service. Jennings was also ordered to pay a $500 fine. Jennings made full restitution of $39,331 prior to sentencing. On September 29, 2022, Jennings pleaded 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 17, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Western Division, Brent Toppert, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of Security, Police and Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA) Local 238 (located in Morrison, Ill.), was charged in a criminal information with one count of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charge follows an investigation by the OLMS Detroit-Milwaukee and Chicago District Offices.
On January 10, 2023, in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, Manuel Anaya, former Financial Secretary of United Mine Workers for America (UMWA) Local 3106 (located in Socorro, N.M.), was indicted for 21 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, in violation of 29 U.S.C. 501(c). The charges follow an investigation by the OLMS Denver-St. Louis District Office.
Last Updated: 1-31-24