PITTSBURGH (AP) - A former union leader in Pittsburgh accused of stealing $1.5 million says he will plead guilty to federal embezzlement charges.
Federal prosecutors on Monday said Raymond Ventrone, a former business manager for the International Association of Boilermakers, used union funds to buy extravagant items for himself and avoided paying taxes on the allegedly stolen money.
Ventrone told WTAE-TV he would plead guilty to the charges but disputed the accusations. He said everything he bought using the money was for the union and is currently at the union hall.
The union issued a statement saying the case is “an extraordinary breach of trust by the local lodge’s top leader.” They say Ventrone was forced out of his position when the union became aware of accusations.
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