The New York Times

Five Labor Leaders Indicted On Embezzlement Charges

May 31, 1981

AP TUCSON, Ariz., May 30, The president of the Arizona American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations and four top officials of the Laborers' International Union have been indicted on charges of conspiring to embezzle $350,000 in union funds.

The indictment, made public yesterday, accuses the five of establishing a severance fund for officers and business agents of Locals 479 and 383 without authorization from the members.

The five are also accused of conspiring to convert union money to their own use or the use of people other than union members. Indicted were Fred Brown, president of the state A.F.L.-C.I.O. and former business manager of Local 479 in Tucson; Mason M. Warren, international vice president of the laborers' union; William Soltero Sr., business manager and secretary-treasurer of Phoenix Local 383; Ermilio Torrez, business manager of Local 479, and Francisco Lozano, Local 479's secretary-treasurer.

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