Action in union embezzlement

YOUNGSTOWN — The East Liverpool woman accused of embezzling $145,675 from Graphic Communications Workers International Union, Local 638-S and the Tri-State District Joint Council while employed as a union secretary-treasurer is free on $10,000 unsecured bond.

Betty A. Illig, 64, of St. Clair Avenue, appeared in federal court Friday for arraignment on charges of falsification of union records and embezzlement.

Illig entered a plea of innocent and Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert set the unsecured bond. Illig, declared indigent, is represented by Jacqueline A. Johnson, a federal public defender.

A federal grand jury in Cleveland indicted Illig last month. The time frame in the indictment is Jan. 4, 2000, through May 8, 2004.

The indictment alleges that Illig embezzled $145,675 for her own use from the East Liverpool labor unions and made false statements in reports and documents required to be filed with the Secretary of Labor, and falsely represented that the president of the labor organizations had approved the payments.

Vindicator files show Illig filed for bankruptcy in November 2000. She listed her profession as a camera person.