The union that Scott Gehringer and Alex Margaritis headed no longer exists. But the memories may linger for some time. The pair, respectively, former president and financial secretary of International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 594 of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty on September 23 in federal court to embezzling from their union. At sentencing in December, each could receive up to five years in prison plus a restitution order and a fine.
During the period July 2005-May 2006 the pair diverted more than $16,000 in funds from a union checking account. As president, Gehringer, 45, was a signatory on the account at Keystone Savings Bank, now known as Keystone Nazareth Bank and Trust. He and Margaritis, 50, initially embezzled $3,050 and then another $13,320. Prosecutors did not name the employer whose workers the union had represented. (Allentown Morning Call, 9/26/08).