Former Labor Union President Admits Involvement in $200,000 Embezzlement Scheme

 The Department of Justice announced the Alton chapter of the AFSCME labor union is reeling from the admission of its former president's involvement in transporting stolen money. Byron Clemons, Sr., 35, of Alton, pleaded guilty in a U.S. District courtroom to one count of Interstate Transportation of Stolen Money after he was caught embezzling over $200,000 from the organization.

According to court documents, Clemons withdrew a total of $202,100 from Local 124’s U.S. Bank account from February 2021 to January 2022. He used the funds for personal expenses and gambling at casinos. Clemons was president of AFSCME’s Local 124 in Alton from June 2017 through January 2022.

The case has attracted widespread condemnation, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Cutchin saying, "Labor unions exist to promote the interests of the working men and women who make up their ranks. But instead of promoting the interests of his members, Clemons used his position to enrich himself and get cash to gamble at casinos." He commended the efforts of the U.S. Department of Labor for their diligent work in investigating the case and ensuring that Clemons is brought to justice.

Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, also commented on the case, saying, "Byron Clemons, Sr. personally enriched himself at the expense of dues-paying AFSCME members. Tuesday’s conviction affirms the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General’s commitment to ensuring that labor organization funds are only used for lawful purposes. We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate union officials that violate the trust placed in them by the membership they are supposed to serve."

Clemons' sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on July 20, 2023, at the U.S. District Courthouse in Benton. The investigation was conducted by agents with the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Labor-Management Standards. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman.

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Location: Alton, IL, USA

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