Maryland Secretary-Treasurer Guilty of Embezzling $294,000


Many people are motivated by money. Some will go to great lengths to attain it. Some people are rich through hard work and luck, while others get rich by engaging in crimes such as embezzlement.

This is how a Maryland woman ended up with six figures. She stole the money through her job as a secretary-treasurer for a labor organization. She recently pled guilty to embezzlement and bank fraud.

The 65-year-old woman from Clinton was employed as a secretary-treasurer of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 24. She pled guilty to the charges on December 3 after admitting that she took a total of $294,585.18 from the union.

The theft occurred between May 2015 and June 2018. The Local 24 received funds from union workers paying their dues. There were 423 members who worked for 10 employers at Andrews Air Force Base. The woman took advantage of these funds by writing checks to herself. She would forge signatures and alter information in the Local 24’s accounting software.

The woman signed 138 checks with just her signature. This was against the union’s bylaws, since all checks were required to be countersigned by the president of the Local 24. The woman did forge the president’s signature on 22 checks. She also altered information in the accounting software to fraudulently obtain 33 checks.

The woman fraudulently deposited the Local 24 checks by altering the dates and check numbers on 14 checks. She also altered the amount of one of those checks and deposited one check twice. She deposited 160 fraudulent checks in all, for a grand total of $294,585.18. The woman was able to deposit the checks into her personal checking account by using an app on her smartphone.

On two occasions — December 4, 2017 and April 23, 2018 — the woman did pay back $30,000 to the Local 24’s bank account. However, the embezzlement continued.

The woman primarily used the funds for gambling. She used the union funds at local casinos and for online gambling. She also used the money on personal purchases, such as food, beauty supplies and household items.

The woman faces up to five years in federal prison for embezzlement along with another 30 years in federal prison for bank fraud. In addition, as part of her plea agreement, the woman will be required to pay restitution totaling at least $264,585.18. Sentencing has been scheduled for March 4, 2021.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud that can result in serious penalties. A person convicted of this white collar crime can end up in prison for many years. They can also be forced to pay restitution or hefty fines.

Embezzlement cases are prosecuted harshly. Seek aggressive representation from a Columbia white collar crime lawyer at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. He can help you achieve a favorable outcome. Schedule a free consultation. Call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form. We have two offices to serve you.

Resource:

thebaynet.com/articles/1220/secretary_treasurer-of-maryland-labor-union-pleads-guilty-to-embezzling-more-than-294000.html

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