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Release Date: June 28, 2006
Release Number: 06-1089-PHI
Contact Name: David James/Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.693.4676/202.693.8664
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - The former
benefits administrator of the Riggers’ Local 161 Annuity Fund, located
in Philadelphia, today was sentenced to six months of home confinement,
three years of probation, and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to
embezzling approximately $21,888 from the fund between 2000 and 2002.
The criminal action was based on an investigation
conducted by the Philadelphia regional offices of the U.S. Department of
Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and Office of
Labor-Management Standards (OLMS).
“Theft of employee benefit assets jeopardizes
benefits promised to workers,” said Mabel Capolongo, director of
EBSA’s Philadelphia regional office. “This case sends a clear
message that the department is committed to protecting the benefit
promises made to workers.”
Kevin Kulp of Philadelphia pleaded guilty in March to
embezzlement of assets from the annuity fund. Kulp, who served as the
benefit funds administrator, misused office signature stamps to issue 36
checks made payable to himself. The checks were issued without the
knowledge or authorization of fund officials and were disguised as extra
salary checks. Under a plea arrangement, Kulp has made restitution to
the fund, including lost earnings.
The annuity fund covered approximately 490
participants under a collective bargaining agreement with sponsoring
employers throughout Pennsylvania. As of November 2004, the Riggers
Local 161 Annuity Fund merged with the Iron Workers Local 405 Annuity
Fund.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District
of Pennsylvania prosecuted the case, and the sentence was entered in
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Employers and workers can reach the Philadelphia
regional office of the EBSA at 215.861.5300 or toll-free number at
1.866.444.EBSA (3272) for help with problems relating to private-sector
retirement and health plans
(U.S. v. Kulp)
Criminal No. 2:06-00111
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