Unions Finances

A Los Angeles County Fire Department captain Monday pleaded not guilty to charges that he siphoned off more than $125,000 from the firefighters' union over a five-year period. Ronald J. Creath, 54, of Big Bear Lake was freed on his own recognizance after entering the plea to felony grand theft and tax fraud charges in Los Angeles Municipal Court. Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas R. Wenke alleged that between Jan. 1, 1985, and Dec.

The U.S. Justice Department, in an extraordinary move that may signal deepening concerns about wrongdoing by Teamsters leaders, named an independent financial auditor Monday to oversee the union's spending and related dealings. The auditor, Washington accountant Marvin M.

Even though the nation's pension funds lost a bundle in the market on Oct. 19, Black Monday, nearly $2 trillion is still left in reserves for money managers to handle, and they come up daily with ideas for investing those vast sums. The primary goal must be to manipulate the money so it will increase and thereby help ensure pensions for retirees.

Opponents of bilingual education enjoy overwhelming support in a brewing ballot fight that has sparked early skirmishing in the 1998 campaign, with strong backing among California voters of all races, ethnicities and political persuasions. A proposed measure to virtually dismantle California's system of bilingual public education garnered huge support among the state's electorate, with 80% in favor and 18% against, according to a new Los Angeles Times poll.

The U.S. Justice Department, in an extraordinary move that may signal deepening concerns about wrongdoing by Teamsters leaders, named an independent financial auditor Monday to oversee the union's spending and related dealings. The auditor, Washington accountant Marvin M.

Police are investigating allegations that the former treasurer of the Bonita Unified School District teachers union embezzled just under $10,000 from the union, officials said. Ed Morgan was treasurer from 1995 through 1996, police said. During that time, union officials allege, Morgan embezzled money and misused a union-issued debit card, La Verne Police Chief Ron Ingels said. Investigators said the union conducted its own probe into the alleged embezzlement before contacting police this week.

The National Football League Players Assn., which owes $1.4 million to a variety of banks and creditors, received dues from only about a fourth of its members in 1987, the year of the 24-day strike, according to financial statements filed with the Department of Labor. Union officials said Tuesday that a majority of the nearly 1,600 players have now paid their dues. According to the union's financial statement for the period from March 1, 1987, to Feb. 29, 1988, filed Jan.

Teamsters to Levy Extra Dues, Cut Spending: The executive board decided to cut the union's expenses at least $10 million and to assess each of its 1.5 million members another $1 a month until the organization's net worth, currently about $15 million, is restored to $25 million. The board also voted to suspend strike benefits in the meantime and to reconsider a program that allows thousands of local union officials to collect double pensions.

Opponents of bilingual education enjoy overwhelming support in a brewing ballot fight that has sparked early skirmishing in the 1998 campaign, with strong backing among California voters of all races, ethnicities and political persuasions. A proposed measure to virtually dismantle California's system of bilingual public education garnered huge support among the state's electorate, with 80% in favor and 18% against, according to a new Los Angeles Times poll.

For the young at heart, kids and adults alike, trading cards are what marbles used to be: symbols of hope, challenge and acquisition. Among other things. One of the other things--in pro football today--is trouble. The NFL's 28 club owners and their 1,500 players are in a strange, heated scrap over football trading cards, believe it or not.

Opponents of bilingual education enjoy overwhelming support in a brewing ballot fight that has sparked early skirmishing in the 1998 campaign, with strong backing among California voters of all races, ethnicities and political persuasions. A proposed measure to virtually dismantle California's system of bilingual public education garnered huge support among the state's electorate, with 80% in favor and 18% against, according to a new Los Angeles Times poll.

Police are investigating allegations that the former treasurer of the Bonita Unified School District teachers union embezzled just under $10,000 from the union, officials said. Ed Morgan was treasurer from 1995 through 1996, police said. During that time, union officials allege, Morgan embezzled money and misused a union-issued debit card, La Verne Police Chief Ron Ingels said. Investigators said the union conducted its own probe into the alleged embezzlement before contacting police this week.

From studios in Burbank to shopping centers in Orange County, union pension money has helped finance scores of real estate projects large and small across Southern California. But those projects and investments pale in comparison to an ambitious and risky union venture to buy control of the region's largest and most controversial proposed development, Playa Vista.

Banks have won a key court battle against credit unions that could force millions of Americans out of the lower-cost financial organizations. However, the National Credit Union Administration, which regulates credit unions, said it plans to appeal the U.S. District Court ruling, handed down late Friday, to the Supreme Court.

As its leaders continued to feud, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Thursday abolished four regional divisions that have been accused of wasting millions of dollars a year on lavish executive salaries and perks. Teamsters officials in Washington called the decision a "major step toward democratic reform," but dissidents said it was a move to weaken opposition to President Ron Carey and his policies.

Teamsters to Levy Extra Dues, Cut Spending: The executive board decided to cut the union's expenses at least $10 million and to assess each of its 1.5 million members another $1 a month until the organization's net worth, currently about $15 million, is restored to $25 million. The board also voted to suspend strike benefits in the meantime and to reconsider a program that allows thousands of local union officials to collect double pensions.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down the United Farm Workers' final appeal of a $1.7-million judgment in a 12-year-old case the union has said threatens its financial stability. In a brief order, the high court refused to hear the UFW's plea that it overturn the judgment in a lawsuit brought by Carl Maggio--a grower of lettuce, broccoli and carrots--over a bitter, violent strike in the Imperial Valley in 1979.

As its leaders continued to feud, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters on Thursday abolished four regional divisions that have been accused of wasting millions of dollars a year on lavish executive salaries and perks. Teamsters officials in Washington called the decision a "major step toward democratic reform," but dissidents said it was a move to weaken opposition to President Ron Carey and his policies.

In an unprecedented and controversial gamble to save the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from falling into dire financial straits, the union's international president said he plans to ask members to vote soon to increase their annual dues by about 25%. Ronald Carey contends the underlying cause of the 1.

Southern California's business climate will suffer a devastating blow and the region's delicate social fabric will tear even further if Los Angeles County officials adopt proposals to cut $1.4 billion from social services and public safety, according to a study released Monday by union leaders.