O'side man allegedly embezzled $111k from union

A former treasurer of Utility Workers Local 365 is charged with stealing more thant $111,000 from the union. He surrendered this morning to Nassau County District Attorney investigators.

In October 2014, Local 365 was notified by the UWUA International Treasurer that more than two years of payments due from the local union to the international union had not been received. Upon investigation of this issue, Local 365 learned that its treasurer, Charles Burke, 47, of Oceanside had allegedly stolen in excess of $111,000 during a period of more than 5 years. In addition to failing to pay dues, Burke allegedly wrote checks to himself and made withdrawals from Local 365’s bank accounts without the union’s permission.

“The defendant allegedly enriched himself with union funds for five years and stole more than $111,000 in the process,” said District Attorney Madeline Singas. “I thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Labor for helping us investigate and prosecute this case.”

Burke was arraigned today before District Court Judge Joseph Girardi on charges of second-degree Grand Larceny and first-degree Scheme to Defraud. He was conditionally released to probation and is expected back in court on April 6. He faces up to five to 15 years in prison if he is convicted on the top count.

“The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards thanks Nassau District Attorney Madeline Singas and her staff for their hard work on this case," said District Director Andriana Vamvakas. "Union officers have a duty to manage the funds and property of the union solely for the benefit of the union and its members, not for themselves. We will pursue appropriate legal action and work cooperatively with other agencies to ensure that union officers or employees who embezzle or steal union funds face the consequences.”

UWUA Local 365 is based in Nassau County and members of the union work for American Water and cover the Nassau County line to Roosevelt.

The case arises from a referral by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Labor-Management Standards in April 2015. The USDOL division oversees financial integrity in private sector labor unions through standards for union officer elections and union trusteeships and safeguards for union assets. The case was investigated jointly by the USDOL and the district attorney's office.

Assistant District Attorney Diane Peress, Bureau Chief of the district attorney's Economic Crimes Bureau, is prosecuting the case. Burke is represented by Ronald Beckoff, Esq.