Former treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 88329 charged with falsifying financial records to cover up embezzlement

Federal prosecutors in northeastern Pennsylvania have charged the former

treasurer of Communications Workers of America Local 88329 with falsification of financial records.

The office of U.S. Attorney Peter Smith in the Middle District of Pennsylvania filed a criminal information April 14 against Robert Vargeson, 46, of Galeton, Pa., charging him with falsifying records in 2012 and 2013 to conceal the fact that he had embezzled about $6,373 in union funds.

The charging documents were filed in U.S. District Court in Scranton, records show.

The filing of criminal information, as opposed to an indictment, typically means a defendant plans to plead guilty.

As treasurer, Vargeson was responsible for handling the financial records of the local union.

If convicted on the charges, the defendant faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

According to the website UnionFacts.com, the Local 88329, which is based in Gaines, Pa., has 10 members and assets in excess of $7,000.

Communications Workers of America represents 700,000 workers in private and public sector employment in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, according to its web page.

Its members work in telecommunications and information technology, the airline industry, news media, broadcast and cable television, education, healthcare and public service, law enforcement, manufacturing and other fields.