SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.

SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced today that Michael Evans, age 56, and William Uggiano, age 60, both of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, were charged on July 28, 2017, in a criminal information for conspiring to steal funds from a local union.

 

According to United States Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, the information alleges that Evans and Uggiano conspired to steal more than $50,000 in union funds from the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1699. From 2013 through 2014, Evans and Uggiano, both union officers, withdrew money from Local 1699’s credit union account for their own personal benefit.

 

The United States also filed plea agreements, which are subject to the approval of the Court, wherein it is indicated that Evans and Uggiano intend to plead guilty to the charges when they appear in federal court.

 

The charges stem from an investigation by the United States Department of Labor. Assistant United States Attorney Evan Gotlob is prosecuting the case.

 

Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

 

A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

 

The maximum penalty under federal law is 30 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the Judge is also required to consider and weigh a number of factors, including the nature, circumstances and seriousness of the offense; the history and characteristics of the defendant; and the need to punish the defendant, protect the public and provide for the defendant's educational, vocational and medical needs. For these reasons, the statutory maximum penalty for the offense is not an accurate indicator of the potential sentence for a specific defendant.

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