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Sturgis Woman Sentenced for Union Theft
A 49-year-old Sturgis woman has been sentenced to six months of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $25 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund after being convicted of Larceny.
United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Melody Wouden, also known as Melody Delong, was sentenced on May 6, 2013, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.
The charges against Wouden stem from her alleged theft of less than $1,000 from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2342 while she was serving as the labor union’s president between 2008 and 2011.
Wouden pleaded guilty to the Larceny charge on January 15, 2013. The case was investigated by the Department of Labor, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Venhuizen prosecuted the case.
Wouden’s sentence of six months of unsupervised probation is a relatively light punishment for a crime that carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation into Wouden’s activities began after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges of False Statement and Larceny on October 23, 2012.
Wouden’s case serves as a reminder that public officials and union leaders are not above the law and will be held accountable for their actions.
Wouden’s theft from the AFGE union is a serious breach of trust and a betrayal of the public’s faith in the labor union system.
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RELATED: Michigan Woman Sentenced for Methamphetamine Distribution
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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