Former UAW President Sentenced To 21 Months In Federal Prison

DETROIT — Former United Auto Workers President Dennis Williams was sentenced on Tuesday to 21 months in federal prison following a federal investigation that led to Williams admitting to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the organization.

Williams, 67, of Corona, California, was sentenced to 21 months in fedrral prison, ordered to pay $132,000 in restitution and a $10,000 fine by United States District Judge Paul Borman. When released, Williams will be supervised for one year, accordingto acting U.S. Attorney Saima Mohsin.

“The Court’s sentence for former UAW President Williams demonstrates that the very highest level of leadership of the UAW has been held accountable for betraying the trust of the UAW’s membership,” Mohsin said. “Today’s sentence sends a strong message that union leaders must strictly adhere to the highest ethical standards in running their unions.”

Williams' sentence follows his September 2020 conviction for conspiring with former UAW President Gary Jones and other senior UAW officials to embezzle UAW dues money between 2010 and September 2019.

Williams was president of the UAW between June 2014 and June 2018. He was the secretary-treasurer prior to becoming president.

UAW officials concealed hundreds of thousands of dollars in personal expenditures in the cost of UAW conferences held in Palm Springs, California, Coronado, California and Missouri, according to federal authorities.

Officials said Williams, Jones and other UAW officials submitted fraudulent expense forms seeking reimbursement from the UAW’s Detroit headquarters for expenditures incurred in connection with UAW leadership and training conferences. In truth, authorities said, Williams and his co-conspirators used the conferences to conceal the hundreds of thousands of dollars in UAW funds spent on lavish entertainment and personal spending for the conspirators.

As part of his conviction, Williams admitted he and other senior UAW officials used UAW money to pay for personal expenses, including multi-month long stays at private villas in Palm Springs, cigars, golfing apparel, green fees at golf courses, and high-end liquor and meals. During the course of the conspiracy, while Williams was UAW President, co-conspirators Jones, Vance Pearson and others provided themselves and Williams with thousands of dollars in such personal items, according to law enforcement.

Williams was ordered to forfeit a custom-made set of Titleist golf clubs and various golf clothing and equipment seized from Williams during an August 2019 search of his residence as part of his sentence.

Williams is the 16th person convicted in connection with the ongoing criminal investigation into corruption within the UAW or relating to illegal payoffs to UAW officials by FCA executives.