Woman Tells Judge the Nearly $1 Million Stolen from CSEA Union Fed a Gambling Habit

Sacramento Bee ^ | August 2, 2003 | Denny Walsh

[Saundra Duffy]

A former accounts manager for the California State Employees Association admitted to a judge Friday that she stole nearly $1 million from the labor union to feed her gambling addiction. Gail S. Jones of Citrus Heights, who has no previous criminal record, pleaded guilty in Sacramento federal court to six felony counts of computer fraud.

[Saundra Duffy]

Well, if the CSEA is going to allow one of its employees to steal one million dollars from union dues, and basically do nothing about it, seems to me if enough state workers would rise up and absolutely REFUSE to support this union tyranny, they'd have to sit up and take notice. I mean it's SIT IN time or something like a thousand outraged workers storming the CSEA office on "O" Street in Sacramento and demanding justice - give state workers and Cal State University employees the right to decide whether or not they want to contribute one red cent to this corrupt union! Sheeeeesh. This makes me so mad.

[Saundra Duffy]

Bump

[Saundra Duffy]

In a way, this story is about voter fraud since the CSEA endorses and supports basically nothing but pro abortion democrats. Sounds like voter fraud to me, even though technically it's probably not. FYI.

[BooBoo1000]

Well the machines have been really tight..

[Saundra Duffy]

Well the machines have been really tight..

What machines? The voting machines?

[breakem]

You have to throw the officers out or decertify the union.

[Saundra Duffy]

You have to throw the officers out or decertify the union.

They are going to do NOTHING. This Union spits in our faces and they're going to get away with it. Remember, this is California.

[Saundra Duffy]

We need to report this to the "right to work" lawyers. I think I have an address.

[Saundra Duffy]

Not that it'll do any good (to report this to the "right to work" lawyers) but it will make me feel better.

[Saundra Duffy]

The criminal is going to get ONLY TWO YEARS FOR STEALING A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE RANK AND FILE UNION MEMBERS. What makes you think this union is going to suffer any real backlash? The only way they can be hurt is if EVERY SINGLE UNION MEMBER WRITES LETTERS TO HAVE POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS STOPPED FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS and the state workers and Cal State University workers are too stupid and lazy to do that. So the CSEA will get away with it. You'll see.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

With California's casino boom making gaming increasingly accessible, Jones needed ever more money, according to Bockmon.

Seems that you share the opinion of others.

[oldironsides]

She gambled to help the elderly and education.

[Saundra Duffy]

She gambled to help the elderly and education.

LOL! The poor woman has a disease. We should feel sorry for her, I guess.

[breakem]

Saundra, calm down, I'm on your side.

[Saundra Duffy]

Right. It's the fault of the casinos for being so accessible.

[Saundra Duffy]

Saundra, calm down, I'm on your side.

I know. I seem to have a problem with my anger management, or the lack thereof. LOL!

[Saundra Duffy]

I copied this from CSEA's web site. NOW I'M REALLY MAD!!! They're gonna do basically NOTHING to soothe the ruffled feathers of the rank and file. Here's what those creeps have to say (from the President of CSEA union):

CSEA HOME > NEWS >

Former CSEA employee convicted of fraud
Published Aug. 1 2003

A former CSEA employee pled guilty to six felony counts of fraud and "related activity in connection with computers" for embezzling close to $1 million in association funds.

Gail S. Jones, who retired from CSEA at the end of May, entered the plea during her arraignment before U.S. District Judge Garland E. Burrell Jr. on Aug. 1.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Krotoski, who prosecuted the case, Jones faces a maximum term of 5 years imprisonment on each count; a three-year term of supervised release; a fine of $250,000; and a special assessment of $100. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17 and Jones remains free on her own recognizance.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued its own press release on the matter.

In coordination with CSEA Secretary-Treasurer Christy Christensen, I am securing an independent audit of all CSEA accounts. CSEA is also hiring a certified public accounting firm to assist staff in handling the daily operations of our accounting department, revamping our accounting procedures and strengthening our financial controls.

This incident has been very difficult for our members, leaders and staff. I hope that with her conviction we can put this awful episode behind us.

As always I will continue to keep our members updated on any new information in the case.

Previous reports on the case.

[Saundra Duffy]

Here's the statement from the President of CSEA, Perry Kenny:

As your President I will continue to carry out my elected duties working in the best interests of our association, and I will keep you informed of developments as the matter progresses.

What a laugh!

[bk1000]

"It's one of the social costs of casinos," said Bockmon, a veteran defense lawyer who previously served in the Federal Defender's Office in Las Vegas. "It's too bad we can't get restitution out of them."

This is the part that kills me. Heaven forbid the woman TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for what she has done. Of course, she is the victim. Just like all those guns that kill people all by themselves...

[Saundra Duffy]

This is the part that kills me. Heaven forbid the woman TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for what she has done. Of course, she is the victim. Just like all those guns that kill people all by themselves...

'Xactly.