On June 8 in U.S. District Court, Julie Messick, former treasurer for Carpenters Local 2001, was sentenced to one year of probation for embezzling union funds. Back in February Messick had pleaded guilty following an investigation by the Labor Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. She already has made restitution of nearly $11,800. (OLMS, 6/28).
California Ex-Secretary Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
On June 20, Martha Bautista, former secretary-treasurer for Local Lodge 1528 for the Machinists union, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to embezzling union funds of an amount of more than $5,000 but less than $10,000. But her real haul was a lot more than what she’d been charged with taking. On May 6 Bautista had made an initial payment of $50,000 toward the $165,259.27 in restitution due to the union. (OLMS, 6/28).
Former President of NYC Union Sentenced
On June 15, John Clifford, ex-president of the United Business Workers Union, was sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 for making a false statement of material facts. He previously had made $60,000 worth of restitution to the union. (OLMS, 6/28).
Ohio Ex-Business Manager Pleads Guilty
On June 16, Timothy Burke, formerly the business manager-financial secretary of Roofers Local 42, in the Cincinnati area, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to embezzling $31,470 in union funds. Burke had been indicted following an investigation by the Labor Department. (OLMS, 6/28).
Va. Local President Indicted for Embezzlement
On June 14, Peggy Shortt, former president of Local 14459 of the Steelworkers was indicted in U.S. District Court on one count of embezzling union funds. (OLMS, 6/28).