Post by death on Jul 16, 2014 4:33:04 GMT -5
Former Teamsters leader accused of embezzlement
Chris Kenning, 12:45 p.m. EDT July 2, 2014
Former Louisville Teamsters leader Jerry T. Vincent Jr. was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges that he embezzled union funds, took illegal union loans and conducted false record keeping, according to the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
According to the indictment, Vincent, president of Teamsters Local 783 from 2006 to 2011, embezzled more than $17,000 between October 2009 and August 2011.
In addition, the indictment alleges that he arranged $23,760 in illegal loans to himself from the union between November 2009 and July 2011, and committed 13 criminal violations related to union records around that same period.
That consisted of making false entries on union credit card receipts claiming false business purposes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The indictment alleges that those included visits to restaurants such as 610 Magnolia, Sake Blue and Harvest.
Vincent could not be reached for comment because a phone listing for him could not be located.
An indictment is only an accusation of guilt. But if convicted, Vincent could face a maximum of 23 years in prison and a $2 million fine, authorities said.
Current Teamsters Local 783 President John Stovall could not immediately be reached for comment by phone. The union's website notes that Local 783 "was put under Trusteeship by IBT (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) General President Jim Hoffa in April of 2012" and after supervision and training, "released for an election in October 2013."
Vincent's indictment followed an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, authorities said.
Vincent is scheduled to appear for arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Whalin on July 22.