William Dixon, Union Fund Embezzlement, VA 2016

William Dixon, 41, of Castlewood, Virginia, pled guilty today to embezzling $4,338 from a labor union he served as secretary/treasurer, admitting to siphoning cash meant for worker protections and collective advocacy.

The crime unfolded between October 2015 and April 2016 in Lebanon, Virginia, where Dixon held a position of trust within the local union—a role built on accountability and solidarity. Instead, he exploited it, diverting union funds for personal use while union members relied on those resources to protect their rights.

Dixon waived indictment and entered his plea to a one-count Information charging embezzlement from a labor organization, a federal offense that cuts deep into the integrity of worker-led institutions. No longer shielded by silence or delay, he now faces the full weight of federal sentencing guidelines.

At sentencing, Dixon risks up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. The case was investigated by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, an agency tasked with policing corruption in labor ranks and ensuring union dollars serve members—not officers.

“Labor unions have been in place for centuries to ensure fair working conditions for employees, not to line the pockets of union officers,” said United States Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr., whose office prosecuted the case. “This breach of trust undermines the very foundation of organized labor.”

Assistant United States Attorney Randy Ramseyer handled the prosecution. As Dixon awaits sentencing, the case stands as a stark reminder: even modest theft, when rooted in betrayal of duty, becomes a crime with far-reaching consequences.

RELATED: Dixon Admits to Fort Deposit Bank Heist