The NCAA tournament wasn’t the only madness going on this March. Check out the latest labor rackets from last month below.
In Texas, Dawn Munoz, former outside bookkeeper for American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1929 (located in El Paso, Tex.), was indicted on four counts of making and subscribing a false return, nine counts of aiding and abetting in the preparation and presentation of a false return, and three counts of bank fraud.
In Michigan, Earl Roberts, former President of Steelworkers Local 2-4 (formally located in Yale, Mich., now disbanded), was sentenced to 30 months of probation including six months of home confinement. Roberts was also ordered to pay $45,916 in restitution and a $300 special assessment. On November 30, 2021, Roberts pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzlement.
In Virginia, Alexandria Division, Arthur Penn, former Chairman of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Defense Protective Service Labor Committee (located in Arlington, Va.), was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised probation. He was also ordered to pay $384,001 in restitution. On March 25, 2021, Penn pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud.
In Tennessee, James Michael Foote, former Treasurer of Steelworkers Local 9-137 (located in Manchester, Tenn.), was sentenced to 10 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release. Foote was also ordered to pay $86,268 in restitution and a $100 fine. On October 19, 2021, Foote pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of union assets.
In Virginia, Richmond Division, Nintay Edwards, former Financial Secretary of Steelworkers Local 8-694 (located in Richmond, Va.), was sentenced to 12 months of home detention and five years of probation. Edwards was also ordered to pay $66,684 in restitution. On October 14, 2021, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from a labor organization for embezzling $66,684 from the union.
In Texas, Brian Walker, former Vice President of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1504 (located in Galveston, Tex.), was sentenced to six months of home detention and five years of probation, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to pay $38,237 in restitution and a $25 special assessment. On December 3, 2021, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of falsification of union records.
In California, Vida Sloan, former Treasurer of National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU) Local 303 (located in Los Angeles, Calif.), pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft in the amount of $10,039, in violation of California Penal Code Section 487(A). Sloan was then sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $10,039 in restitution.
In California, Stephen Rooze, former Secretary-Treasurer of Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) Local 662 (located in Burbank, Calif.), was sentenced to six months in a home detention program and three years of probation. He was also ordered to pay $1,078 in restitution and a $400 special assessment. Rooze previously paid $127,943 in restitution. On August 30, 2021, Rooze pleaded guilty to four counts of embezzling union funds.
