A former office manager for a central Arkansas branch of the Plumbers and Pipefitters' labor union pleaded guilty Wednesday after embezzling more than $400,000 from the organization over 11 years.
Jeni May Hughes of Jacksonville pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Miller to a charge of embezzlement of union assets, for which she faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
According to a plea agreement that her attorney, Bill James of Little Rock, negotiated with the U.S. attorney's office, she has agreed to repay $428,874.47 to Local Union No. 155, which is based in Little Rock and has offices in Fort Smith and El Dorado. Restitution is mandatory in federal court.
A charging document to which Hughes pleaded guilty after waiving her right to have the case reviewed by a federal grand jury says she embezzled the funds between January 2005 and March 2016.
Miller allowed Hughes to remain free under the supervision of U.S. probation officers until her sentencing, which hasn't been scheduled.
Metro on 05/11/2017