Driver paid $97,500 from teachers union

[David_Paul]

The Washington Times
7-7-05
Arlo Wagner

The chauffeur of the former president of the Washington Teachers Union testified yesterday in the $4.6 million embezzlement trial that he earned $97,500 annually plus other benefits, but did not say the compensation was in exchange for his cashing checks and concealing money for union officials.

Leroy Holmes said that in addition to the salary, he received free health insurance, a cell phone, insurance on his two cars and pickup truck, a $1,875 Christmas bonus, a down payment for a 2001 Cadillac DeVille and half of the monthly $800 payments.

When asked by U.S. Assistant Attorney Jeannie Rhee whether he ever questioned the benefits, Holmes replied: “Why should I? It was good.”

Holmes has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder funds. He could be sentenced to 20 years in prison if prosecutors do not ask that his sentence be reduced because of the testimony.

Holmes will resume testifying today against former union treasurer James O. Baxter II, 50; former office manager Gwendolyn Hemphill, 63; and former accountant James A. Goosby Jr., 56. Mr. Baxter and Mrs. Hemphill are accused of embezzling millions of dollars. Mr. Goosby is accused of helping hide the thefts by filing false financial reports.

In addition to driving union President Barbara A. Bullock on official business, Holmes took officials on lavish shopping sprees that were financed with the union dues of teachers, prosecutors say. Bullock pleaded guilty and is serving nine years in prison . . .

washingtontimes.com/metro/20050706-100228-2349r.htm

 

[Lizzie]

One of the worst school systems in the country.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Lizzie:

One of the worst school systems in the country.

This goes a long way toward explaining why the schools never improve, no matter how much money we throw at them.

 

[HagiaSophia]

But I am curious in matters like these is there ever a “payback” of what was embezzled or misappropriated?

 

[Thekla]

vern humphrey:

This goes a long way toward explaining why the schools never improve, no matter how much money we throw at them.

This wasn’t public money, it was the teachers’ money.

 

[Karin]

Thekla:

This wasn’t public money, it was the teachers’ money.

Um…where fo you think teacher money (dues)comes from…the tax payers! The tax payers pay their salary/ That is you and me and everyone else that pays taxes!!! And the best part NO teacher questioned what their dues go towards…no one asked for an accounting and when they did ask for an accounting they took someones word…no paper proof etc.

 

[Stu]

Karin:

And the best part NO teacher questioned what their dues go towards…no one asked for an accounting and when they did ask for an accounting they took someones word…no paper proof etc.

And they are the ones teaching our kids. Caveat parentis.

 

[Richardols]

Karin:

Um…where fo you think teacher money (dues)comes from…the tax payers! The tax payers pay their salary/

You are wrong. Once the teacher is paid, it is the teacher’s money, and if the teacher has some of the salary deducted for union dues or for cancer insurance or for an investment, it’s no one’s business and no one’s money except that teacher’s.

We can all spend our salaries anyway we wish, once we’ve earned it.

 

[Karin]

Richardols:

You are wrong. Once the teacher is paid, it is the teacher’s money, and if the teacher has some of the salary deducted for union dues or for cancer insurance or for an investment, it’s no one’s business and no one’s money except that teacher’s.

We can all spend our salaries anyway we wish, once we’ve earned it.

Richardols-
Yes once the money is paid to them it is theirs to do as they wish, support corrupt unions, invest it etc. But where did the money originally come from??? You and me the taxpayers!!!

 

[Richardols]

Karin:

Richardols-
Yes once the money is paid to them it is theirs to do as they wish, support corrupt unions, invest it etc. But where did the money originally come from??? You and me the taxpayers!!!

But, no company has any claim on money once it pays the employees for services rendered.

Whether you are paid by the NYC Board of Education, by Microsoft, by the State of New Jersey, or by Wal-Mart, the money is yours. Regardless who is paying it.

 

[MrS]

Karin:

Richardols-
Yes once the money is paid to them it is theirs to do as they wish, support corrupt unions, invest it etc. But where did the money originally come from??? You and me the taxpayers!!!

should we pay them less, so they won’t be able to misuse their money? I think not.

Instead we need to hope that the teachers will eventually see that their unions are abusing them… their dues are used to make excessive purchases and the teachers gain little or nothing from their own unions (except for the “power” they claim to have in elections).

 

[Karin]

MrS:

should we pay them less, so they won’t be able to misuse their money? I think not.
No dont pay them less but dont pay them anymore unless they PROVE that they can teach…base the money (pay) on merit not tenure!

Instead we need to hope that the teachers will eventually see that their unions are abusing them… their dues are used to make excessive purchases and the teachers gain little or nothing from their own unions (except for the “power” they claim to have in elections) They must gain something (what I dont know) otherwise I would think that most of these teachers would see what their unions are doing…or is this an indication of the intelligence, ignorance of the teachers??? /QUOTE]

 

[Karin]

Richardols:

But, no company has any claim on money once it pays the employees for services rendered.

Whether you are paid by the NYC Board of Education, by Microsoft, by the State of New Jersey, or by Wal-Mart, the money is yours. Regardless who is paying it.

Ricahrdols-
Your missing my point…I agreed with you that once the money is in their account it is theirs to do as they wish. But my point was where did they get the money to begin with??? The taxpayers.

 

[Richardols]

MrS:

Instead we need to hope that the teachers will eventually see that their unions are abusing them… their dues are used to make excessive purchases and the teachers gain little or nothing from their own unions (except for the “power” they claim to have in elections).

Gain little or nothing? My wife’s union-negotiated health benefits cost her nothing, and her plan has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of cancer treatment for her since October last with our co-pays being only a few hundred dollars.

 

[Richardols]

Ricahrdols-
Your missing my point…I agreed with you that once the money is in their account it is theirs to do as they wish. But my point was where did they get the money to begin with??? The taxpayers.

So what? Where does Wal-Mart get its money? Mostly from taxpayers.

 

[Karin]

Richardols:

So what? Where does Wal-Mart get its money? Mostly from taxpayers.

**LOL!! Yeah but Walmart is not educating my kids nor does it represent the people that are teaching my kids. **

 

[Karin]

Richardols:

Gain little or nothing? My wife’s union-negotiated health benefits cost her nothing, and her plan has already paid hundreds of thousands of dollars of cancer treatment for her since October last with our co-pays being only a few hundred dollars.

I am glad to see that someone is getting something out of the Union ! I am sorry to hear about her struggle with cancer and I hope that all goes well with that!

 

[Richardols]

**LOL!! Yeah but Walmart is not educating my kids nor does it represent the people that are teaching my kids. **

But, you were speaking of where the teacher’s money comes from and you already agreed that the teachers can spend the salaries they earn any way they want.

So what difference does it make if a salary is paid by a taxpayer directly or by taxpayers spending money at a business?

The money is no longer the taxpayers - it’s the teachers’ or it’s the employees’ money whether filtered through the Board of Ed or through a business.

 

[Richardols]

Karin:

I am glad to see that someone is getting something out of the Union !

Yeah, but it’s one benefit I’d rather not have had to collect on.

 

[Karin]

Richardols:

But, you were speaking of where the teacher’s money comes from and you already agreed that the teachers can spend the salaries they earn any way they want.

So what difference does it make if a salary is paid by a taxpayer directly or by taxpayers spending money at a business?

The money is no longer the taxpayers - it’s the teachers’ or it’s the employees’ money whether filtered through the Board of Ed or through a business.

I guess the point is that as a group in charge of teaching the USA’s kids I would think that they would question what their Union is doing. Or do a large majority of teachers have their heads buried in the sand? Is it all about them (teachers) what they want what they can get and perhaps not enough about the kids, what they need???