WARREN (WWI) -- A former United Auto Workers union executive in metro Detroit is facing federal charges, accused of stealing and spending union funds.
Between 2011 and 2020, 53-year old Tim Edmunds of South Lyon was the Financial Secretary-Treasurer of UAW Local 412, located in Warren.
In documents obtained by WWJ Newsradio 950, federal investigators allege Edmunds “systematically drained” the union local’s bank accounts, converting union dollars for his own personal use.
The fed allege he then spent the money on gambling binges, luxury clothing, high-end vehicles cars and guns.
Many of the charges included purchases at upscale retailers including Louis Vuitton, the feds said. A lot of the cash went to ATM withdrawals, child support payments, purchases at apple.com, and payments to and at Greektown Casino, where it's alleged that Edmunds was a regular.
According to the complaint, Edmunds has registered 10 firearms since last year, ranging in price from $500-$2,000 each, and spent large sums of five vehicles, including a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that cost more than $96,000. All of these expenses were outside the UAW's credit card policy, and vouchers were not maintained to verify, clarify, or explain their purpose, prosecutors said.
In total, a criminal complaint says about $2 million was transferred from the union's account to Edmund's personal account.
To conceal his theft from other UAW officers and the Local 412 members, it's alleged that Edmunds created false bank statements and caused false reports to be filed with the U.S. Labor Department.
Edmunds is is charged with embezzlement and money laundering.
Speaking to the Detroit News, Edmunds' attorney said they'll work through the process, but this client is entitled to the presumption of innocence.