Ex-top MS Coast labor union official accused of embezzlement in 29-count indictment
The former secretary and treasurer of a Mississippi Coast labor union pleaded not guilty Tuesday to federal charges in a 29-count indictment accusing her of forging checks or other securities to embezzle over $33,000.
Lisa Michelle Bennett, 50, had an arraignment in federal court in Gulfport on Tuesday.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert P. Myers appointed a federal public defender to represent Bennett before she pleaded not guilty to one count of embezzlement and 28 counts of uttering forgery.
According to the charging documents, Bennett — of Pascagoula labor union 204 — allegedly forged her signature on checks or other securities to steal around $33,236, court papers say.
Bennett told the judge she was no longer employed.
Bennett was accused of committing the crimes between Jan. 4, 2016, and Feb. 26, 2020, while serving as the union’s secretary and treasurer. According to UnionFacts.com, the union has 65 members that are primarily in the maritime and shipbuilding industry.
The federal embezzlement charge carries a maximum sentence of five years plus fines and each count of uttering forgery is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines.
The judge set a $25,000 unsecured signature bond for Bennett.
She is free pending a trial tentatively set for September.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie is prosecuting the case.
This story was originally published July 6, 2022 at 1:45 PM.
