Labor Pains: Because Being in a Union can be Painful

Labor Racket Weekly: October Round-Up

This Thanksgiving, some union bosses have more to be thankful for than others. Check out the latest batch of offenders from last month’s rackets:

In Oklahoma, former bookkeeper for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 270, was sentenced to three months of incarceration, five months of home confinement, and three years of supervised release.  She was also ordered to pay $44,808 in restitution and a $100 special assessment.  This sentence came after she plead guilty to a one-count information charging her with embezzling union funds.

In Illinois, Anthony Edmunds, former President of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 2419, plead guilty to one count of embezzling union funds in the approximate amount of $19,482.

In Virginia, Benjamin Wisecarver, former President of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 264, was indicted on three counts of embezzlement, two counts of wire fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and embezzle union assets, for participating in an embezzlement of $57,310 from the union.

In California, John Zehm, former business manager for the Tile Setters and Finishers Union of Northern California, plead guilty to one misdemeanor count of Grand Theft.  Zehm was then sentenced to 90 days in jail (suspended) and three years of informal probation, and he was ordered to pay $300 in fines.  As a condition of his plea agreement, Zehm previously paid restitution in the amount of $14,014.

In Ohio, Steven Kristopher Perry, former Financial Secretary-Treasurer of United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 2077, was charged in a one-count information with embezzlement of union funds totaling approximately $20,458.

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