Robert and Theresa Ann Carr seemed like a normal married couple, not the sort who would steal from their union. But a federal grand jury has indicted them for doing just that for more than seven years. On April 9, the Carrs were charged in Sacramento federal court with embezzling more than $45,000 from United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 228. Robert Carr, secretary-treasurer and business manager of the Yuba City, California union, and his wife, who may have been a temporary union employee, allegedly lined their pockets to pay for a wide range of personal expenditures. Mr. Carr denied all charges, saying: “We’ve been working on (this case) for a long time and we’re denying everything. It’ll all come out in court.”
He only can hope. According to the 11-page indictment, roughly during January 2000-March 2007 Robert and Theresa Carr “did knowingly and intentionally conspire with each other and with others unknown to the Grand Jury to embezzle, steal, and unlawfully and willfully abstract and convert for their own use the moneys, funds, property, and other assets of the Plumbers Union.” The couple allegedly made unauthorized use of union checking and credit card accounts to buy clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, fishing equipment, meals and other amenities. The indictment follows a Labor Department probe. (Appeal-Democrat, 4/25/09).