Dennis Williams, the former President of the United Auto Workers (UAW), has been charged with one count of conspiracy to embezzle union funds, according to U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider of the Eastern District of Michigan.
Williams served as Secretary-Treasurer of UAW from June 2010 to June 2014 and president between June 2014 and June 2018. He handed the leadership of the UAW to Gary Jones.
U.S. Attorney Schneider alleged that Williams and six other senior UAW officials including Jones colluded to steal money from the union for their personal benefits.
They allegedly concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenditures during UAW conferences held in Palm Springs, California, Coronado, California, and Missouri. Williams together with Jones and other senior union officials allegedly submitted fraudulent expense forms and seek reimbursements from the UAW’s headquarters in Detroit. They claimed to have incurred those expenses in connection with UAW leadership and training.
In reality, Williams and his co-conspirators spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on lavish entertainment and other personal expenses such as paying for long stays at private villas in Palm Springs, cigars, golfing apparel, green fees at golf courses high-end liquors, and expensive meals.
