Former AFGE local union president pleads guilty to stealing union funds
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A 56-year-old Reedsport, Oregon, woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud for stealing from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local Union 1273, U.S. Attorney Josh Hurwit announced.
According to court records, Tamlyn Leigh Ulin-Gilson served as president of AFGE Local Union 1273 from January 2019 to April 24, 2021. AFGE 1273 is a federal labor organization that represents approximately 1,1000 medical support staff employed at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Healthcare System in Boise and affiliated clinics. Prior to serving as president, Ulin-Gilson served as the vice president and secretary‑treasurer for AFGE 1273.
With the resignation of the other executive board members, Ulin-Gilson had exclusive and unchecked control of AFGE 1273’s bank account beginning in February 2020. She abused her authority by fraudulently misusing at least $42,674.45 of AFGE 1273’s funds on unauthorized, personal expenses. Ulin-Gilson spent at least $34,632.60 at casinos in Idaho and Nevada during this time, and also spent $7,037.35 on personal insurance premiums, and caused $1,004.50 in bank fees from the transactions.
Ulin-Gilson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 17, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
U.S. Attorney Hurwit commended the investigation by the Department of Labor Office of Labor Management Standards, which led to the charges. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darci Crane is prosecuting the case.
