Husband and wife ran fund for a labor union
NEWARK -- A Northvale couple face five years in prison and a $250,000 fine after they admitted in court to embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from a health care benefit program, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said in a statement.
Leonard and Joann Telesca, 62 and 63, respectively, ran United International Brotherhood of All Trades, Technologies, Service, Administration and Medical Workers Union, which sponsored a fund that provided health coverage to union participants enlisted over the Internet.
Between 2009 and 2011, Leonard Telesca admitted Monday he embezzled nearly $160,000 from the fund and used the money for mortgage payments, cruises and stays in luxury hotels. Joann Telesca took a little more than $13,000 in 2009 and 2010 and spent it on mortgage payments for a River Vale rental property.
The two are scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 8.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. FindNJ.com on Facebook
