Former Union Official Accused of Embezzling

The former business manager of a union that represents 1,700 sound, lighting and camera technicians at major television and radio stations in California was indicted Friday on federal charges of embezzling more than $63,000 in union funds.

James Earl Jackson, 58, of Los Angeles was accused in a 46-count indictment of using union credit cards to pay for everything from a Caribbean cruise to a $3,200 fur coat.

Jackson served as chief financial officer and business manager in charge of collective bargaining for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union Local 45, based in Hollywood.

The embezzlement allegedly occurred from 1994 until 1997, when Jackson was removed from office amid an investigation by the U.S. Labor Department.

In addition to the Caribbean cruise and the fur coat, Jackson was accused of charging to the union airline tickets, hotel bills and jewelry for family and friends as well as his adult daughter’s health insurance premiums.

He also used union funds for unauthorized auto allowances and insurance payments, the indictment said.

Jackson could not be reached for comment Friday. He will be summoned to appear for arraignment in Los Angeles federal court at a date to be set.

The union has collective bargaining agreements for members who work at KCBS and KCAL television stations in Los Angeles and KRON and KPIX in San Francisco, at radio stations KIIS and KNX, and in communication engineering units for the city, the county and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Jackson is the second local union official charged with embezzlement this week.

A former official of a union that represents welders, boilermakers and crane and machine operators in Southern California and part of Nevada was accused this week of embezzling nearly $25,000 from his local.

Manuel Lujan, 51, of Crestline, former business manager and secretary-treasurer of Boilermakers Local 92, was named in a 31-count indictment.

Like Jackson, he was charged with using union credit cards to pay for personal expenses. He also was accused of claiming reimbursements for business travel tabs that had been paid for with union checks and credit cards.