On October 10, David Taylor, former financial secretary for Carpenters Local 1402, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to one count of making false statements on the union’s reporting form. The statements were part of a scheme to cover up his embezzlement of $72,422 in union funds. The guilty plea follows an investigation by the Labor Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Ex-Boss of Connecticut Union Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
On September 28, Andrew Konspore, former treasurer of the Northeast Emergency Services Union, pleaded guilty in federal court for the District of Connecticut to one count of embezzlement of union funds of a sum between $70,000 and $120,000 during the period January 2001 through December 2004. The guilty plea follows a Labor Department investigation. The independent union represents emergency personnel at American Medical Response (in New Haven) and Greater New Haven Transit Company. Sentencing is scheduled for December 14. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Former Local Treasurer in Ohio Sentenced for Embezzlement
On October 5, Jereika Ward, ex-treasurer for International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 998, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio to three years probation with six months of home detention for embezzling $46,708.97 from the union. Of that sum, she will have to make $24,118.97 in restitution. She had pleaded guilty in July to embezzlement and filing a false report. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Ex-Bookkeeper in Arkansas Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
On October 2, Elizabeth Fiske, former bookkeeper for American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 38, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas to one count of embezzling $32,793 in union funds. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Ohio President Charged with Embezzlement
On October 4, Deborah Walters, former president of AFSCME Local 11, Chapter 8330, was charged in federal court for the Southern District of Ohio with one count of embezzling more than $10,000 in union funds and five counts of falsifying union records. Chapter 8330 represents employees at Warren Correctional Institution. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Former Secretary-Treasurer in Pennsylvania Indicted
On October 18, Thomas P. Ubzut, former secretary-treasurer of Local 735S of the Graphic Communications International Union, was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on one count of embezzling union funds in the amount of $21,099.17 and two counts of making false entries in union records. The GCIU for nearly two years has been affiliated with the Teamsters. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Cincinnati-Area Business Manager Pleads Guilty to Loan Fraud
On October 3, Russell Liming, former business manager and financial secretary for Sheet Metal Workers Local 183, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio to one count of bank fraud. He had provided false information to Franklin Savings & Loan to obtain a loan from which paid personal expenses. (OLMS, 10/31/06).
Ex-Financial Secretary in Upstate New York Fined
On October 17, Richard Takacs, former financial secretary for Local 9 of the Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons International Association, was fined $1,000 in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York for falsifying union records. (OLMS, 10/31/06).