A former official of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees was charged on April 13 with felony theft from that union. Chris Dehn, 36, of Portage, Wisconsin, had served as treasurer of AFSCME Local 3394, which represents workers at the state’s Columbia Correctional Institution. Prosecutors allege Dehn, while working as a guard at CCI stole $26,189. The criminal complaint said that Dehn “admitted to taking cash withdrawals from the union savings account,” and “also stated that it was typical for him to get a signature from another union officer upon a blank check and Dehn would then write the rest of the check out.”
Columbia County Circuit Judge Daniel George released Dehn from jail on a signature bond after a court appearance. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. [Associated Press, Janesville Gazette, 4/14/05]