DETROIT (WWJ) -- A former treasurer of the Detroit Firefighters Association has been charged with embezzling more than $220,000 in union funds.
The U.S. Attorney in Detroit and other federal officials announced on Monday afternoon bank and wire fraud charges had been filed against 62-year-old Verdine Day.
Day started working in the Detroit Fire Department in 1986, and held positions as a firefighter and engineer before becoming treasurer of the union in 2015.
Federal investigators say over the four years Day held the role — and even after she retired — she wrote herself around $167,000 of fraudulent checks, and also used union credit cards for personal expenses such as flights, hotel rooms, cruises, satellite and cable TV, furniture and other fees.
“This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate union officers who abuse their authority and line their own pockets at the expense of the union’s membership," Acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out corruption and fraud involving unions."
A preliminary examination for Day is set for Monday, October 18. If convicted, she faces up to 50 years in prison.
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