Diane Sampson thought she could put one over the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It was a bad mistake. On July 19, Ms. Sampson, a native of Guyana, was suspended without pay after being charged with the theft of more than $23,000 from her union, the Federal Protection Service Labor Committee, an affiliate of the Fraternal Order of Police. The group represents employees of the Federal Protective Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Sampson’s job was to prepare union financial reports, documenting all expenses and income. But federal authorities allege that she did other things not specified in her job title – like writing union checks and making ATM union credit-card withdrawals to finance trips to Guyana, shopping excursions, and appointments at the beauty salon. Court documents also accuse her of lying on documents to cover up her thefts. Sampson was released on her own recognizance following arraignment. (New York Daily News, 7/20).