May 31, 1981
AP TUCSON, Ariz.,
May 30, The president of the Arizona American Federation of Labor
and Congress of Industrial Organizations and four top officials
of the Laborers' International Union have been indicted on charges
of conspiring to embezzle $350,000 in union funds.
The indictment, made public yesterday, accuses
the five of establishing a severance fund for officers and business
agents of Locals 479 and 383 without authorization from the members.
The five are also accused of conspiring to
convert union money to their own use or the use of people other
than union members. Indicted were Fred Brown, president of the
state A.F.L.-C.I.O. and former business manager of Local 479 in
Tucson; Mason M. Warren, international vice president of the laborers'
union; William Soltero Sr., business manager and secretary-treasurer
of Phoenix Local 383; Ermilio Torrez, business manager of Local
479, and Francisco Lozano, Local 479's secretary-treasurer.