Bryan D. Kroh pled guilty June 15 in U.S. Dist. Court in Bismarck, N.D., to embezzling $33,468.52 from the Bhd. of Locomotive Eng’rs. The ex-secretary-treasurer admitted to writing unauthorized checks to himself and his wife, Dinah, as well as numerous checks to vendors and a bank. Reportedly, there were 61 illegal transactions from Jan. 1996 to Mar. 1999. The U.S. Atty.’s Office also filed charges against Dinah, a rare move, for union embezzlement and aiding and abetting. But, both felony charges against the wife will reportedly be dismissed at Bryan’s sentencing.
Despite Bryan’s 1991 felony conviction on one count of federal tax evasion, prosecutors will recommend a prison term of not more than nine months on the embezzlement charge. He received three years probation for the tax crime. The maximum penalty for union embezzlement is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Also, as part of his plea on the embezzlement charge, a second charge of giving false statements was dropped. But, prosecutors will ask the judge to order Bryan to pay restitution. [Bismarck Trib. 6/16/01]