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Maritime Union President, 3 Others Accused of Fraud

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From Associated Press

The president of a national union of merchant fleet officers, his brother and two other officials were indicted on federal charges of election-rigging, embezzlement and fraud, prosecutors said Wednesday.

The 13-count indictment names Michael McKay, 58, national president of the American Maritime Officers Union, and Robert McKay, 55, the union’s national secretary-treasurer. Union employee James Lynch, 55, and former employee Phillip Ciccarelli, 64, also were charged.

The union represents about 4,000 maritime officers that serve aboard U.S.-flagged merchant vessels, including cruise ships, on the world’s oceans, the Great Lakes and U.S. inland waters. Its national headquarters is in Dania Beach, Fla.

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Prosecutors say that the McKays conspired in 1993 and 1996 to rig the union’s elections by stuffing ballot boxes and destroying ballots cast for their opponents and for union initiatives supported by the opponents.

They also allegedly embezzled money from union benefit plans for such things as hockey tickets, cigars and personal boat repairs, and used free union housing in Dania Beach for themselves, family and guests, according to the indictment.

Union officials had no comment on the charges, which could bring the four defendants lengthy prison terms and stiff fines if they are convicted.

The McKay brothers both pleaded not guilty during a court appearance before a federal judge in Fort Lauderdale and were released on $500,000 bond.

The other two defendants had not entered pleas as of midday Wednesday, according to the court clerk’s office.

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