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Press Release

Former Steel Workers Union Official Charged With Theft Of Union Funds

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Pennsylvania

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that criminal charges were filed late yesterday in U.S. District Court in Scranton against a former official of the United Steelworkers of America, Local 1338, for stealing almost $9,000 in union funds over a two-and-a-half year period.

According to United States Attorney Peter Smith, the Information alleges that on multiple occasions between May 2011 and December 2013, David Deitrick, aged 50, of Ranshaw, Pennsylvania, abused his position as the union’s secretary/treasurer in order to steal a total of $8,993.38 of the labor organization’s money.        

The investigation was conducted by investigators from the United States Department of Labor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Peter Hobart.

The maximum penalty under federal law for Embezzlement and Theft of Labor Union Assets is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a $250,000 fine. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.       

Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant’s educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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Updated April 16, 2015