Janett Humphries, the former Service Employees International Union official in Los Angeles accused of embezzlement and perjury, has pleaded not guilty. She’s facing a pair of court visits on federal and local charges. As president of SEIU Local 99 during 2002-03, Humphries allegedly stole more than $80,000 in union funds. Well over $30,000 of that money went for the election campaign of former Los Angeles City Councilman Martin Ludlow under the listing of payroll and cell phone expenses. She also embezzled union funds for travel expenses for children and friends. Humphries is scheduled for trial in the federal case July 25; she’s due back to face local charges on August 16. Ludlow already has pleaded guilty in federal court for his participation in the scheme, and in June received five years probation, and was ordered to serve 2,000 hours of community service and make restitution in the amount of $36,400. (City News Service, 6/21/06).
