Postal union official admits he stole funds

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20101104/NEWS01/11040320

November 4, 2010

NEWARK (AP) -- A former officer of a New Jersey postal workers union has admitted to conspiring with another officer to embezzle funds from the union's operating account.

Fifty-four-year-old John McGovern of Hawthorne pleaded guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Newark.

McGovern was secretary-treasurer of Local 190 of the North Jersey Division of the American Postal Workers International Union. Prosecutors say he supplemented his $46,000 salary by issuing $140,000 in payments to himself from April 2000 to October 2002.

Prosecutors say he conspired with the local's former president to steal union funds. The former president, Gary Weightman of Keansburg, has pleaded guilty to tax evasion.

McGovern faces up to five years in prison. Sentencing is Feb. 7.