On March 31, Donald Hutchinson, former financial secretary for Local 763-C of the Chemical Workers, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to one year of supervision and three years probation for embezzling union funds. He was ordered to pay $103,248 in restitution to the local. The sentencing follows an investigation by the Labor Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Kansas Financial Officer Sentenced, Another Pleads Guilty
On April 10, Vince L. Matthews, former business manager and financial secretary for Sheet Metal Workers Local 29, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas to one count of embezzling $93,298.28 in union funds. In a related action, Kenneth Kruse, sole officer of Kruse Corporation, was sentenced to 12 months probation and fined $3,500 for aiding and abetting in making a false entry in the records of Sheet Metal Workers Local 29. He also will have to make restitution of $38,057. Both actions come in the wake of a Labor Department investigation. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Philadelphia Local Bookkeeper Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
On April 4, Darnell Smith, former bookkeeper for Local 36 of the Service Employees International Union, pleaded guilty in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas to theft by deception. He had embezzled more than $70,000 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the Department of Labor. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Ex-Business Manager in Illinois Indicted for Embezzlement
On April 6, Gary W. Cope, former business manager for Local Lodge 196 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, was indicted in federal court for the Northern District of Illinois on one count of embezzling $56,672 in union funds. (4/29/06).
Former Secretary-Treasurer in Indiana Sentenced for Thefts
On April 14, William Van Sickle, former secretary-treasurer for Local 725 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to six months community confinement and five years probation for embezzling more than $62,000 in union funds. He was ordered to pay $23,645 in restitution to the local, which represents Indianapolis Public Works employees. Van Sickle had made roughly $40,000 in restitution payments prior to pleading guilty in January. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Local Lodge President in New Jersey Sentenced
On April 5, Lorenzo Kornegay, former president of Local Lodge 2 of the International Association of Machinists, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to one year of probation and was ordered to pay $27,711.81 to the local. In December he pleaded guilty to an information count charging him with knowingly and willfully taking a loan from the union in excess of $2,000. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Former Employee of Chicago-Area Local Pleads Guilty to Theft
On March 31, Loretta Schwenn, former clerical employee of United Auto Workers Region 4, pled guilty in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to one count of embezzling $32,040 in union funds. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Ex-Field Representative for Indiana Local Charged with Theft
On April 13, Patrick Calhoon, former field representative for International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades Local 47, was charged in Marion County (Indiana) Superior Court with one count of felony theft for embezzling union funds. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Chicago Business Manager Indicted for Embezzlement
On April 13, Andrea Stack, former business manager for Local 1199 of the Communications Workers of America, was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on one count of embezzling nearly $20,000 in local funds. (OLMS, 4/29/06).
Ohio Local Ex-Secretary Sentenced for Embezzlement
On April 7, Mary Levan, formerly financial secretary for United Auto Workers Local 1224, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio to three years probation and 50 hours of community service for embezzling nearly $5,800 in union funds. She also was ordered to make restitution. (OLMS, 4/29/06).