United Steelworkers Official from Cranberry Sentenced for Embezzling Union Money

The former director of the political department of the United Steelworkers International Union was sentenced Tuesday to two years probation and a $2,000 fine on his conviction of union embezzlement. 

Charles Rocha, 44, of Cranberry Township, engaged in misuse of a USW credit card and falsification of semi-monthly USW voucher entries during the period from January 2008 until June 2009, according to prosecutors.

Prior to imposing sentence, U.S. District Judge Mark Hornak stated that Rocha had a "steep, sharp and successful climb from the floor of a tire plant in Texas to the top" of the USW; that the defendant has recognized the harm that he brought on himself and his family; and that this prosecution against a senior member of one of the largest labor organizations in the world would help ensure that union dues are used only for proper purposes.