A former union leader has been caught with his hands in the till, admitting to a charge of union embezzlement in a federal court.
Michael C. Trembulak, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pa., pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The court was advised that Trembulak, while serving as the President of the Utility Workers Union of America AFL-CIO Local 475, embezzled approximately $31,528.65 from the union by making unauthorized debit card cash withdrawals, charges and purchases, and unauthorized teller cash withdrawals, from the union’s checking account during the period from April 19, 2012, to Sept. 19, 2012.
Trembulak’s crime dates back to 2012, when he was the leader of the Utility Workers Union of America AFL-CIO Local 475. Over the course of several months, he made a series of unauthorized transactions, draining the union’s funds of nearly $32,000.
The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Judge David S. Cercone scheduled sentencing for June 29, 2015 at 10 a.m. Pending sentence, the court released Trembulak on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.
Related Federal Cases
- Raymond C. Ventrone, Embezzlement and Theft of Labor Union Assets, Pennsylvania 2010 · Pennsylvania
- Karen McGinnis, Embezzlement, Pennsylvania 2023 · Florida
- Nicole Hilstolsky, Embezzlement, Pennsylvania 2018 · Minnesota
- Christopher Furman, Embezzlement, Pennsylvania 2025 · Pennsylvania
- David L. Barr, Embezzling Union Funds, Pennsylvania 2023 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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