PITTSBURGH - A resident of Butler County pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of union embezzlement, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.
Duane Rill, 52, of Cranberry Township, Pa., pleaded guilty on Nov. 20, to one count before United States District Court Judge Nora Barry Fischer.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Rill, a Secretary-Treasurer of the Berry Metal Employees’ Association, an independent union, stole approximately $13,496 from the union by writing and cashing unauthorized union checks and by making an unauthorized cash withdrawal during the period from March 23, 2007, to Nov. 20, 2009.
Judge Fischer scheduled sentencing for March 27, 2014, at 9 a.m. The law provides for a maximum total sentence of not more than 5 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.
Pending sentence, the court released Rill on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, conducted the investigation that lead to the prosecution of Rill.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
