Mine Workers Union Secretary Charged with Embezzling Funds

PITTSBURGH – A Fayette County resident has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on a charge of union embezzlement, United States Attorney David J. Hickton announced today.

The one-count indictment, returned on April 5, named Daniel P. Ternitsky, Jr., of Keisterville, Pennsylvania, as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Ternitsky, while serving as the Financial Secretary of the United Mine Workers of America, Local 285, AFL-CIO, embezzled approximately $10,680.05 from the union by cashing checks drawn on the union’s checking account for unauthorized expenses during the period from Aug. 12, 2013 through Dec. 20, 2013.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Mary McKeen Houghton is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.