According to United States Attorney Preet Bharara. John Earvin, 67, a former candidate for New Rochelle City Council, pleaded guilty to a felony wire fraud charge after stealing thousands from the union while he was in charge.
Earvin served as president of his union from February 2007 through April 2010. While he was in charge, he supervised the union’s finances, and had sole control of its bank account.
During his time as president, prosecutors said Earvin defrauded the union by diverting members’ dues payments into a separate, personal account. He accessed the money from the account primarily by making hundreds of ATM withdrawals at off-track betting locations.
In total, prosecutors said that Earvin defrauded union members of more than $28,000.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, and Earvin must make restitution for the funds he stole. He is scheduled to be sentenced by United States Judge Paul Engelmayer on Thursday, Oct. 22.
“In perpetuating the scheme and preventing its discovery, Earvin repeatedly lied to union members about the account by claiming that he could not provide an accounting of funds to union members because an independent auditor was reviewing the union’s finances,” Bharara said. “As a result of the scheme, Earvin defrauded the union and its members of approximately $28,012.
Click here to follow Daily Voice New Rochelle and receive free news updates.