On July 28, Darrell Pendergrass, former president of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 699, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia to one year in prison and three years probation for embezzling union funds. He also will have to pay $70,336 in restitution plus any back taxes. Pendergrass previously made restitution in the amount of $53,000. He pleaded guilty in April to embezzlement and tax evasion. The sentencing follows a joint investigation by the U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Labor-Management Standards and the IRS. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
North Carolina Office Manager Indicted for Embezzlement
On July 28, Krista Yeatts, former office manager for International Association of Machinists Lodge 2444, was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina on one count of embezzling funds from the Winston-Salem union in the amount of $47,746.01. The indictment follows a probe by the U.S. Labor Department. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Ex-Secretary for Building Trades Council Charged with Theft
Roberta Dauch didn’t last long at her job as secretary of the North Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. But it was long enough for her to embezzle from her union. Dauch, 36, a resident of Clyde, was charged on August 1 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio with embezzling $27,537.28 from the Sandusky-based council. She had diverted the funds to her personal use during March 2005-July 2006. Her lawyer declined to comment on the charges. (Toledo Blade, 8/2/08; OLMS, 8/18/08).
Pittsburgh Former Local Secretary Charged with Embezzlement
On August 6, Anne O’Rourke, former office secretary for Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 37, was charged in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania with one count of embezzlement in the amount of $23,056.91 and one count of falsifying records of the union, based in Bellevue, Pa., west of Pittsburgh. O’Rourke, 47, was indicted by a grand jury following a U.S. Labor Department investigation. (Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 8/7/08; OLMS, 8/18/08).
Officers of San Diego Local Sentenced for Making False Entries
On August 4, Esau Faaitiiti and Arthur Clark, respectively, former president and vice president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 12 in San Diego, were sentenced in federal court to five years of probation and 60 hours of community service for covering up thefts by making false statements on union financial reporting forms. They also were ordered to make joint restitution totaling $22,124.28, with Clark having to make additional restitution of $10,865. The pair also must pay a $1,000 fine and a $25 penalty. They pleaded guilty in March. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Georgia Ex-Local President Sentenced for Embezzlement
On August 7, James E. Kay, former president of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local Lodge 523, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia to six months of home confinement and four months of supervised release, and fined $5,000 for embezzling $16,979.36 in union funds. He pleaded guilty in April. Kay previously had paid approximately $11,000 in restitution, and will have to make additional payments in the amount of $5,642.41. The union is based in Sandersville, located between Augusta and Macon. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Former Treasurer in Cincinnati Sentenced for Theft
On July 29, William D. Day, Sr., former treasurer of Local 1-1462 of the United Steelworkers of America, was sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio to three years probation, and ordered to serve 180 days home detention and pay $2,320.56 in restitution and a $100 special assessment for embezzlement from his union. He previously had made restitution in the amount of $7,020.32. He had pleaded guilty in March to embezzling $11,140.88 in funds from the Cincinnati union. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Ohio Local Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement
On August 12, Roxanne Eye, former treasurer for Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 339, pleaded guilty in U.S. District for the Northern District of Ohio to embezzlement of $9,296 in union funds. She had been indicted in June. The local is based in Kent. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Pittsburgh-Area Secretary-Treasurer Indicted for Embezzlement
On August 12, Michael R. Rhoades, former secretary-treasurer for Local 88667 of the Communications Workers of America, was indicted in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania for embezzling more than $8,000 in funds from the Latrobe, Pa. union. (OLMS, 8/18/08).
Former Treasurer of Denver-Area Local Sentenced for Forgery
On July 30, William J. Kohut, former treasurer for Local 1755 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, was sentenced in the County Court of Adams County, Colorado, to five years probation and 150 hours of community service for forgery and incidental crimes. He also will have to make restitution in the amount of $3,046.68. He pleaded guilty in March. (OLMS, 8/18/08).