Home Buffalo Press Releases 2011 Former Union Official Pleads Guilty to Improper Payments from Employer
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Former Union Official Pleads Guilty to Improper Payments from Employer

U.S. Attorney’s Office January 13, 2011
  • Western District of New York (716) 843-5700

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that George M. Jemiolo, 61, of Williamsville, NY pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to improper receipt of money by a union official from an employer in violation of the Taft-Hartley Law. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles B. Wydysh, who is handling the case, stated that between August 2006 and September 2007, Jemiolo was the bargaining committee chairman for United Auto Workers Local 424 at the American Axle plant in Buffalo, NY. During that time, the defendant received over $2,000 from American Axle in wages and benefits for services performed on behalf of the union. In fact, the defendant did not provide labor or services of any kind; rather Jemiolo spent part of his work time gambling at the Seneca Niagara Casino. This activity was observed by special agents of the U.S. Department of Labor and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Department of Labor, under the direction of Acting Inspector General Daniel Petrole, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 18, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. EST, in Buffalo, NY in front of U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

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