The vehicles included a $74,000 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, a $96,000 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and a $76,000 2021 Dodge Durango, among others. Prosecutors allege Edmunds purchased roughly 10 firearms ranging in price from $500 to $2,000.
The feds say UAW auditors discovered he made more than $30,000 in unauthorized ATM transactions at downtown Detroit’s Greektown Casino from 2018 to 2020 using a Local 412 credit card. A subsequent investigation found he put more than $16 million in play at the casino from 2016 to 2020.
A UAW spokesman on Wednesday referred to a September statement issued after the union discovered the improper spending.
“We have put together a very enhanced auditing system and while we are outraged that dues were embezzled, we are encouraged that the UAW auditors themselves discovered and reported this misuse of union dues through our new auditing guidelines,” UAW Secretary-Treasurer Frank Stuglin said then. “We are confident that these new guidelines will identify any similar activity in our union and serve as a deterrent to prevent such activity in the future.”
The latest charges call into question how long the corruption investigation could linger. It was largely wrapped up following the settlement with the union that involved a six-year period of oversight.
To date, prosecutors have charged 16 individuals. FCA US, now Stellantis, also pleaded guilty this year to charges that the company violated the Taft-Hartley Act.
The Detroit News reported the charges against Edmunds earlier Wednesday.
