DENVER MINT EMPLOYEE DEFRAUDED UNION

Violet Lamorie, a machine operator at the Mint in Denver for more than 20 years, stole the money from her position as secretary-treasurer for her chapter of a union representing federal government workers, American Federation of Government Employees Local 695. Lamorie was responsible for ensuring dues were paid and paying union bills, and she used the position to write herself 45 unauthorized checks over a period of more than six years.

The stolen funds added up to $71,430.86 meant to go toward dental coverage, meetings and attorney fees for union members, among other costs. Lamorie stole the money from 2008 through 2014, writing false memo lines on checks made out to herself, and signing them with both her name and the name of the union president.

“I’m just embarrassed and humiliated,” Lamorie told the judge. “I apologize to the local and I’m just sorry. It was stupid. … I just don’t know what I was thinking.”

U.S. District Court Judge William Martinez sentenced her to probation and nearly a year of house arrest at a tense hearing, calling her actions “repugnant.” He also sentenced her to 200 volunteer hours to be served in her first year of probation, and he ordered her to repay the money she stole.

“Not only did she steal, but she betrayed … trust. That adds a component, an aspect, to the crime that would not be there if she had walked into a Wells Fargo and robbed it of $71,000,” Martinez said before handing down the sentence.

The punishment was more than either side had sought.

Union members had multiple times offered to throw a fundraiser for Lamorie and help her through difficult times, the union president said.

To read the complete article, see:
Former U.S. Mint employee sentenced for stealing more than $70,000 from union members (http://www.denverpost.com/2017/08/23/us-mint-employee-sentenced-stole-from-union-members/)

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