Donnie L. Block pled guilty May 14 to embezzling more than $38,000 from the Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers Int'l Union Local 66 in Portsmouth, Va. He served as the local's president since 1995 and was indicted for a $38,703 embezzlement on Sept. 20, 2000.
The Dep't of Labor's Office of Labor Mgmt. Stnds. found that Block embezzled dues paid through payroll deductions between 1997-98. He wrote and cashed more than 100 checks drawn on the local's bank account causing it to be overdrawn. Four checks, for almost $1,500, were cashed at a Las Vegas casino. He also wrote two checks to his wife, worth $700. Reportedly, the couple recently separated due to his gambling. U.S. Dist. Judge Rebecca Beach Smith allowed Block to remain free on bond until his Sept. 6 sentencing. He faces up to five years and a $250,000 fine. [Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) 5/15/01]
