Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANDREW THIBODEAU, 72, of East Hartford, was sentenced today by Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello in Hartford to three months of imprisonment, followed by one year of supervised release, for embezzling more than $70,000 from his union.
According to court documents and statements made in court, THIBODEAU was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 1433. Beginning in approximately 2004, THIBODEAU served as secretary/treasurer of the local office of the union in Kensington. For several years, THIBODEAU used his access to the union’s funds to defraud the union in various ways. He issued unauthorized paychecks to himself, sometimes forging the signature of another union official so the bank would cash the check. He also reimbursed himself for fraudulent expenses for maintenance, officer duties and supplies. At times, he charged expenses to the union’s credit card, paid the resulting bill with union funds, and then wrote a check for the same amount to himself.
Between 2010 and 2014, THIBODEAU embezzled $70,379.30 from the union.
Judge Covello ordered THIBODEAU to make full restitution.
On April 5, 2017, THIBODEAU pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union assets.
This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ray Miller.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
