James Jackson

Business Agent for Film Set Design Local Suspended

Submitted by Carl Horowitz on Mon, 03/13/2006 - 01:00

Ronnie Cunningham was a business agent for a union whose members build soundstage production sets.  Somehow he confused that with taking center stage at everyone else’s expense.  On Wednesday March 1, the executive board of Local 44 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees voted 16-0 to oust Cunningham for alleged embezzlement of union funds and other offenses dating as far back as 1996.  These charges include:  demanding cash payments from call board employees; requiring union employees to perform personal services for him; receiving unauthorized overtime pay; and blacklisting two local members.  The action is not a formal declaration of guilt, and his guilt or innocence will be determined at future date.  Cunningham already has declared his innocence.  The North Hollywood, Calif.-based Local 44 represents about 5,600 prop makers, decorators, model builders and other employees in

Nebraska Local Treasurer Charged with Embezzlement

Submitted by Carl Horowitz on Mon, 10/10/2005 - 00:00

Crime paid well for Antoinette Cox-Burress – at least for three and a half years.  But now the former treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1293, in Lincoln, stands accused of stealing $14,663 from the union.  During June 2001-December 2004, Lancaster County prosecutors allege, she embezzled funds from the local account at First Choice Credit Union in Lincoln.  Officers served a search warrant at the credit union on September 22, and determined that she had made 42 unauthorized withdrawals.  In some cases, Cox-Burress took cash; in others, she transferred funds to another personal account at the union.  She posted a $300 bond and

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