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Former United Auto Workers president Dennis Williams was ordered to spend 21 months behind bars for embezzling thousands of dollars in dues from the labour union to fund a lavish personal lifestyle.
U.S. District Judge Paul Borman imposed the sentence Tuesday on Williams, one of several high-ranking officials charged in a sweeping five-year federal investigation. Williams served as president from 2014 to 2018, was charged in August 2020 and pleaded guilty the following month. His successor, Gary Jones, admitted to similar conduct in June 2020 and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
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by Allan Lengel Ex-UAW President Dennis Williams An apologetic ex-United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams was sentenced Tuesday in Detroit to 21 months in prison for embezzling hundreds of thousands dollars from the union for lavish entertainment and personal expenses at conferences. He was also fined $10,000. He reinforced the upside down version of solidarity: Once I get to the top I ll get mine by taking yours , said Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Cares at the virtual sentencing before U.S. District Judge Paul Borman. The sentencing marked another stain on a proud union founded in 1935. The sentence comes one month before co-defendant, ex-UAW President Doug Jones, is set to be sentenced on June 8.
Federal prosecutors Monday portrayed former United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams as an imperious, hypocritical thief who should spend two years in prison for helping embezzle hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on luxuries, including private villas, cigars, booze and more.
Williams, 67, will be sentenced May 11, the first of two former UAW presidents convicted in a landmark corruption crackdown that has revealed labor leaders and auto executives broke labor laws, stole union funds and received bribes and illegal benefits from union contractors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV executives. The federal prosecution has led to prolonged oversight by the government that will last six years, cost millions and target wrongdoing within one of the nation s most influential unions.
The United States Attorney’s Office in Detroit said on Monday the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has agreed to independent oversight to resolve a five-year federal corruption investigation that ensnared two of the union’s former presidents.
US Attorney Matthew Schneider said the UAW would pay $1.5m to settle tax issues, make significant reforms and be overseen by an independent monitor for six years. Schneider said the civil settlement caps the investigation into the union but said inquiries could continue against individuals.
“The union has had a problem with fraud, embezzlement and corruption,” Schneider told a news conference. “There are a few bad apples and those people have been convicted.”