Ex-union chief gets 5 years probation for embezzlement

Janett Humphries, former president of the union representing Los Angeles school workers, was sentenced Monday to five years’ probation for embezzling funds to pay for her own travel and for campaign workers for the City Council campaign of Martin Ludlow in 2003.

In handing down the sentence, U.S. District Judge Manuel Real rejected a request by prosecutors that Humphries get jail time.

The judge imposed the sentence after listening to Humphries’ lawyer, Ricardo Torres II, describe her poor health.

Humphries, 63, has Alzheimer’s disease and suffered a recent stroke.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Craig Missakian criticized the sentence as light for someone who had “betrayed the trust” of members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 99.

“This sends exactly the wrong message in a case like this,” Missakian said after the sentencing.

He noted that Ludlow, when confronted by investigators in the case, acknowledged responsibility and cooperated with prosecutors. Humphries, the prosecutor said, “did exactly the opposite.”

Ludlow won the 2003 election but later left the council to serve as head of the county labor federation. He pleaded guilty in 2005 to charges in the case and was sentenced to five years’ federal probation as well.

Humphries was convicted in state court in October of campaign finance charges related to the case; Ludlow testified against her at trial.

The next month she pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy and four counts of embezzlement.

Humphries is already serving her state sentence -- three years’ probation and 180 days in jail -- at home while wearing an electronic monitor.

During Monday afternoon’s sentencing hearing, Humphries said she was “sorry” but offered little explanation for her actions. She struggled to answer Real’s questions coherently.

In addition to her probation, Humphries was ordered to do 1,000 hours of community service and make restitution to the union of $5,149.

joe.mathews@latimes.com