ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A former benefits manager for an International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers local in St. Louis County has pleaded guilty to embezzling $341,000 from the union's benefit plan.

Harry Keil faces sentencing July 31 after pleading guilty on Monday in federal court in St. Louis. Keil is 51 and lives in St. Charles.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Reap says Keil was hired in August 2006 as administrative manager of the Pension and Health and Welfare Funds for IAM District 9 in Bridgeton. Reap says Keil created false invoices, leading to illegal payments to his personal bank accounts and loans.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

1 Comments

Zulu1301 said:

More proof not only has Unions time been and gone, but they need to go away all together. At one time, yes there was a need for them, but now, they drive up the costs of consumer products. Now adays if your rights are being violated you hire an attorney. If it wasnt for auto workers being paid 35.00 an hour with awesome benefits to put a nut on a bolt (literally) we'd be paying 10 grand for a 20 grand auto and the cost of gas, although would still sting a bit, wouldnt hurt near as bad as it does now. When I was a member of a union, the only thing they did was take our money, and protect those from being fired who needed to be fired.

May 12, 2009 12:02 PM

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