U.S. Atty’s Office in L.A. brought embezzlement charges against ex-bosses of four different unions on Oct. 29. The cases appear to be unrelated, but no reason was given why all four cases were brought together.
1) David Arnold Coupe, ex-financial secretary of United Food & Commercial Workers Local 47C in Inglewood, was accused of embezzling over $14,000 from the local. 2) Kenny Lambey, ex-secretary-treasurer of the United Plant Guard Workers Union Local 155 in Corona, was accused of embezzling $9,189. Lambey failed to show up for his initial court appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest. 3) Herminio L. Garcia, Sr., ex-president of the Utility Workers Union Local 522 in Moreno Valley, was accused of embezzling $7,768. 4) Brian V. Carter, ex-secretary-treasurer of the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical & Energy Workers Union Local 307 in Bell, was accused of embezzling $5,968. All four face up to six years in federal prison if convicted.
Jeffrey Gitomer, district director of the U.S. Office of Labor Management Standards, said embezzlement usually occurs at smaller unions with disinterested members. “An apathetic membership leads to this kind of thing.” [City News Service 10/29/99; L.A. Daily News 10/30/99]