Ex-union boss sent to prison for embezzlement

A former union president was sentenced Wednesday to 14 months in prison for embezzling more than $200,000 from his union, authorities said.

Keith Alan Ludlum, who headed the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1208 from January 2012 to March 2015, stole $213,201 in unauthorized union debit card purchases and unauthorized check payments to family, friends and other union members, according to federal investigators.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ludlum was ordered to pay the money back to Local 1208, which encompasses North and South Carolina and has about 3,600 members.

"Ludlum betrayed the trust of the union membership who rightfully expected him, as a union official, to protect and safeguard their union’s funds and assets,” Craig Neel, district director for the Office of Labor-Management Standards, said in a statement. "This sentencing sends a clear message that the Office of Labor-Management Standards and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will fully investigate and seek justice when anyone attempts to use their union position for personal financial gain at the expense of union members."