UNITED STATES ATTORNEY JOYCE WHITE VANCE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			CONTACT: STACY CRANE
	THURSDAY JULY 2, 2009			PHONE: (205) 244-2001
	www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln			FAX: (205) 244-2171

LABOR UNION OFFICIAL PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAUD RELATED CHARGES

     BIRMINGHAM AL - Joyce White Vance, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and H. Craig Neel, District Director, Office of Labor-Management Standards, United States Department of Labor announce that CHRISTOPHER SCOTT TIDWELL, 32, of Lineville, AL., pled guilty Tuesday to two counts of a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that from January 1, 2006 to February 26, 2008, Tidwell stole and embezzled approximately $22,000.00 while serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Transportation Union, Local 1261.

           He also pled guilty to an asset forfeiture count in connection with the embezzled funds.

           TIDWELL illegally spent funds intended for union business for personal household and other expenses. TIDWELL avoided the  requirement that union checks be co-signed by the union president by forging the president’s endorsement on several checks.

            TIDWELL could receive a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of up to  $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2009, before United States District Judge Inge P. Johnson.

            This case was investigated by the Birmingham Resident Investigator of the U.S. Labor Department/ Office of Labor Management Standards.

Assistant United States Attorney Frank M. Salter prosecuted the case.
             
                                                                                                                               

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