United States Attorney Leura G. Canary Middle District of Alabama

UNION SECRETARY-TREASURER
PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT OF UNION FUNDS

MONTGOMERY, ALA. – A former Dothan, Alabama United States postal union secretary-treasurer, Bridgett Cardall Hooks, age 35, has pleaded guilty to embezzlement of the union’s funds, Leura G. Canary, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, announced today.

In a hearing before United States Magistrate Judge Wallace Capel, Hooks admitted that she stole nearly $11,000 of the American Postal Workers Union Local 332’s funds while she served as the union’s secretary-treasurer. Hooks admitted that she accomplished this (1) by writing herself unauthorized and improper checks drawn on the labor organization’s checking account, and (2) by conducting unauthorized and improper purchases and withdrawals with her union debit card.

Hooks will be sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Mark E. Fuller on May 16, 2008. At sentencing, Hooks could receive up to five years incarceration for her offense.

This indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher A. Snyder prosecuted the case.