Hicks worked at the Birmingham VA medical center. University of Alabama
Former VA Union President Arrested for Alleged Embezzlement
Stephanie Hicks allegedly stole more than $132,000 from the AFGE chapter at the Birmingham, Ala., veterans hospital.
This story has been updated.
Federal law enforcement has arrested a former union president at the Birmingham, Ala., Veterans Affairs hospital for allegedly stealing more than $132,000 from the local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees.
A federal grand jury in February indicted Stephanie Hicks, 43, on bank fraud, forgery and aggravated identity theft charges, for a total of 19 counts. Hicks, who served as AFGE Local 2207 president from 2007 to 2013, used her position to embezzle money from the union’s bank accounts for her personal benefit, according to the indictment. The local chapter collects dues biweekly from more than 440 members; while Hicks was president, the union had two bank accounts.
Hicks allegedly wrote checks to herself for nonexistent travel, forged the names of other Local 2207 officers and members on checks, and made improper debit card purchases and cash withdrawals. She did not keep records of the transactions or seek approval for the expenses. Hicks was arrested last week and faces a maximum of more than 40 years in prison as well as fines if she’s found guilty of the charges.
“Union members elect officials to represent them and protect their interests,” said Joyce White Vance, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. “A labor union official who chooses, instead, to live the high life by stealing from local members has committed a crime and should prepare to go to prison.”
VA and the Labor Department worked with Justice on the investigation. "This particular case was severe in the amount of money stolen and in the degree of concealment," said Hollis Lindley Jr., an investigator with Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards.
The American Federal of Government Employees would not comment specifically on the case, citing the ongoing investigation. "We take the stewardship of our members' resources seriously and, while Local 2207 is a separate legal entity, we will fully cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s office and OLMS,” the union said in a statement.