Union Treasurer Pleads Guilty to Theft

EL PASO – An El Paso woman pleaded guilty today to stealing money from a union.

According to court documents, Dorothy Ferguson, 58, was the treasurer of the American Federation of Government Employees Local Union 2516 located in Fort Bliss, El Paso from December 2019 to April 2020.  During her tenure, she consistently failed to present financial reports to Board meetings and at membership meetings.  Further investigation revealed Ferguson made 29 unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Union’s bank account that totaled $16,604.

Ferguson pleaded guilty to one count of Theft within Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction.  A sentencing date has not been set.  Ferguson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey, El Paso Field Office; and Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards (DOL-OLMS) District Director Michelle Hussar, Dallas Office made the announcement.

The FBI and DOL-OLMS are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael M. Osterberg is prosecuting the case.

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