Union Boss Duane Rill Pleads Guilty to $13K Embezzlement

PITTSBURGH – The grim halls of federal court were graced with the guilty plea of Duane Rill, 52, of Cranberry Township, Pa., who stood accused of siphoning off $13,496 from the Berry Metal Employees’ Association. Today, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced that Rill, the Secretary-Treasurer of the independent union, admitted to embezzling funds through unauthorized checks and cash withdrawals.

The fraud spanned over two years, from March 23, 2007, to Nov. 20, 2009, a period during which Rill exploited his position within the Berry Metal Employees’ Association to enrich himself at the union’s expense. The brazen theft was uncovered by the Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, leading to today’s admission of guilt.

Judge Nora Barry Fischer has set March 27, 2014, at 9 a.m., for sentencing. The severity of Rill’s crime could see him spending up to five years behind bars, facing a fine that could reach $250,000, or a combination of both penalties. The actual sentence will be determined by the seriousness of the offense and any prior criminal history.

Despite his transgressions, the court has released Rill on bond pending sentencing. Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is spearheading the prosecution on behalf of the government, ensuring that justice is served for the union members who were robbed of their hard-earned dollars.

Rill’s betrayal of trust within the Berry Metal Employees’ Association has sent shockwaves through the community. The union’s members are left to grapple with the reality that one of their own was responsible for such a significant theft from their collective coffers.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and oversight in organizations where trust is paramount. As Rill awaits his fate, the Berry Metal Employees’ Association and the broader union community must remain vigilant against future acts of financial misdeed.