Union President Charged With Embezzling Funds

PITTSBURGH – A Ross Township man 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 named Michael C. Trembulak, 41, of Pittsburgh, Pa., as the sole defendant.

According to the indictment, Trembulak, while serving as the President of the Utility Workers Union of America AFL-CIO Local 475, embezzled approximately $31,528.65 from the union by making unauthorized debit card cash withdrawals, charges and purchases, and unauthorized teller cash withdrawals, from the union’s checking account during the period from April 19, 2012, to Sept. 19, 2012.

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.