Thief in the Ranks: Former Ironworkers Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Stealing Union Funds
Scott Russell Merritt, 40, of Celoron, NY, has pleaded guilty to theft from a labor union. Merritt admitted to embezzling $50,850.71 in union funds while serving as treasurer of Ironworkers Local 470 between May 2011 and August 2018.
As treasurer, Merritt wrote union checks to pay his personal expenses, further exacerbating the damage to the union’s finances. The maximum penalty for this crime is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation into Merritt’s embezzlement was led by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, under the direction of the Boston-Buffalo District Director Jonathan Russo.
Sentencing for Merritt is scheduled for August 18, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Merritt’s plea agreement marks a significant blow to the Ironworkers Local 470 and highlights the importance of accountability within labor unions.
The case serves as a reminder that embezzlement and theft will not be tolerated, and those responsible will face the consequences of their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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