Former Treasurer of Labor Union Sentenced for Embezzlement

NORFOLK, Va. – A Portsmouth woman was sentenced today to 14 months in prison for an embezzlement scheme that nearly wiped out an account used to assist sick or distressed members of a local labor union.

According to court documents, Tamika Bullock, 39, was appointed in September 2015 to serve as the Secretary-Treasurer of International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 684. The union maintains a “sick and distressed” account, which is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and is solely used to assist union members who are sick or otherwise out of work. Between January 2016 and October 2016, Bullock embezzled $24,600 from the union, with over $21,400 being stolen from the “sick and distressed” account. As Secretary-Treasurer, Bullock provided financial reports at the monthly meeting of the union membership and made false statements about the balance in the account in order to conceal her embezzlement, reporting balances up to $15,000 higher than the actual balance. She used the $24,600 she embezzled for her own personal benefit, including paying for a cruise.

Tracy Doherty-McCormick, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Mark Wheeler, District Director of the Washington District Office of the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan M. Salsbury prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:17-cr-97.