Brian Burrows, the former president of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has been sentenced to a four-year prison term for embezzlement and other crimes. The sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl and includes three years of supervised release, forfeiture of $135,689.11, a $1,800 special assessment, and further restitution to be determined. The 64-year-old from Mount Laurel, NJ, found himself on the wrong side of the law after a grand jury indictment back in January 2019 that unveiled a conspiracy to embezzle about $600,000 in union funds, as reported by U.S. Department of Justice.
Sentencing for Burrows comes after his conviction for 13 counts of embezzlement, causing false statements to be made on required Department of Labor forms, and filing false federal income tax returns. Involved in the pilfering of approximately $391,000, Burrows directed those funds not only to his own home but also to those of his cohorts, which included repairs and improvements to the homes of codefendant Dougherty and Michael Neill, as well as commercial properties they owned and residences of Dougherty's relatives. While Burrows' actions were clearly for his benefit, he was joining several charged individuals in a scheme detailed by the prosecution.
United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero has emphasized the betrayal inherent in these crimes, as union members expect their leaders to act in their interests and responsibly handle their dues. In a quote from the Department of Justice website, Romero states, "Burrows stole from the hardworking electricians whose dues paid his salary, took deliberate steps to conceal it, and is now being held appropriately accountable." Burrows and his codefendants, through their greed, eroded the foundation of trust upon which union solidarity is built.
Codefendant John Dougherty, who held a more senior position than Burrows as the union's business manager, faces sentencing on July 11. Along with multiple counts of embezzlement and fraud, he has been found guilty of falsifying records and tax evasion, according to data from federal authorities. Having anchored themselves deeply into illegal activities, the actions of these leaders have prompted a rigorous investigation led by several key agencies including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and various departments within the U.S. Department of Labor. These agencies, coordinated to unveil the depth of the betrayal, with IRS Criminal Investigation Acting Special Agent Denise Leuenberger reiterating the commitment "to investigate tax and financial crimes" as revealed by the outcome of this case.
Other former officers and employees of Local 98 embroiled in this scandal pleaded guilty to related charges in 2022 and have already received sentencing. Such names include Michael Neill, Marita Crawford, Niko Rodriguez, and Brian Fiocca. The court's decision sends a clear message that the self-serving actions which undermine labor unions will face justice. "There are consequences for union officials who breach their fiduciary responsibilities to the members they represent," remarked U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards Acting District Director Nicole Spallino. This case, steeped in deception and fraud, was not simply about the money. It's about the trust workers place in those chosen to lead, and what happens when that trust is not just broken, but shattered for personal gain.
