Teachers Union Chief Sentenced in Scandal [DC chief embezzled $4.6 million in teachers' dues]

AP / Las Vegas Sun ^ | Jan 30, 2004 | Brian Westley

[summer]

January 30, 2004

Teachers Union Chief Sentenced in Scandal
By BRIAN WESTLEY
ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) - The former president of the Washington Teachers' Union was sentenced Friday to more than nine years in prison for a scam in which she embezzled millions of dollars in union dues.

The judge sentenced Barbara A. Bullock, 65, on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud in a case that prosecutors described as "nothing short of brazen greed."

U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon also ordered Bullock upon her release to spend three years in a halfway house and to perform 3,000 hours of community service. She also must repay $4.6 million to the union and turn over luxury items - including artwork, fur coats, and electronics - purchased with the stolen union funds.

Bullock pleaded guilty last fall.

Appearing solemn before the judge Friday, Bullock asked his forgiveness.

"I stand before you a broken and changed person," she said. "When I think about what happened - and I've had a year to do it - I would change things."

Prosecutors said the illegal activity took place over more than six years, after Bullock became the union's president in 1994. During that time, the attorneys said, Bullock siphoned money from the union to make a number of lavish purchases. The haul included $100,000 in season tickets to games of the NFL Washington Redskins and the NBA Washington Wizards.

The scam was first discovered in July 2002 during an audit by the union's parent organization, the American Federation of Teachers. The scandal didn't become public until late 2003 when the FBI seized a number of luxury items from the homes of several former union officials.

Two of those officials were indicted by a federal grand jury in November on charges they conspired to steal millions of dollars in union funds. Three other people have pleaded guilty to lesser charges, including Bullock's former chauffeur.

--

[jwalburg]

I thought there was another one in Washington state, but maybe the last article I saw did things the same way.

[geedee]

Bullock (l) and Hemphill

I think I see a pattern emerging. One that must only be whispered lest we be called racists.

[summer]

Yes, there is another scandal in a teachers union in Washington State, and frankly, I thought that's what this article was about. But, rabidralph is correct; this scandal in this article concerns the DC teachers union. Also CLICK HERE.

[jwalburg]

Incredible. Corruption everywhere.

[tubebender]

Look on the bright side. This money didn't go to the 'Rats election coffers...

[anniegetyourgun]

I'll stand by my comment, since EFF Executive Director has testified on the hill on the subject of numerous teacher union scams - with examples from all over.

[csvset]

Criminal teacher's union thugs ping.

[summer]

Very interesting re "examples from all over." Thanks for including that.

[VOA]

"I stand before you a broken and changed CAUGHT person," she said. "When I think about what happened -
and I've had a year to do it - I would change things."

Don't do the crime
if you can't do the time...

[summer]

In light of how many of these teacher union leaders across the country have turned out to be crooks -- and I say that reluctantly, as I didn't always know the extent of the problem -- I would say these union leaders apparently think they have plenty of time. That's why they keep doing these crimes. It almost seems you have to have an illegal financial scheme ready to go if you're to assume the head position of a teachers union, as that's the primary criteria. I mean look where we're at here - DC, Washington state, FL, good grief...