June 1, 2006
www.usdoj.gov/usao/aln

FORT PAYNE SECRETARY INDICTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT FROM LOCAL UNION

BIRMINGHAM, AL: SHARON ANN BURT has been indicted by a federal grand jury for embezzling union funds and mail fraud. The indictment was filed May 31, 2006, in U.S. District Court.

The Indictment alleges that BURT, 52 of Fort Payne, embezzled funds from the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 611 (“Local 611"), which is a labor organization. BURT was employed as the office secretary. It is further alleged that BURT unlawfully took $76,000 in union funds from January 2001 until April 2003.

"White collar criminals damage the economic livelihood of our communities. When BURT accepted the position of office secretary she accepted a responsibility and there was an expectation of professionalism, not theft. BURT broke that trust and used her position to steal," said U.S. Attorney Alice H. Martin.

The maximum sentence for embezzling union funds is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The maximum sentence for mail fraud is twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Special Agents of the Department of Labor investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Angela Redmond Debro is prosecuting this case on behalf of the U.S. Government.

Members of the public are reminded that an Indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.