Jacksonville Teacher’s Union Leaders Sentenced for $2.6 Million Embezzlement
The longtime leaders of the teacher’s union in Jacksonville, Florida, were sentenced to federal prison for a $2.6 million embezzlement scheme.
70-year-old Teresa (Terrie) Brady, the former President of Duval Teachers United (DTU), was sentenced to 27 months, while 82-year-old Ruby George, the former vice president, was sentenced to one year and one day, followed by six months home confinement. Both were ordered to pay restitution.
“This sentencing demonstrates that individuals who abuse positions of trust for personal gain will be held accountable,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Brady and George engaged in a prolonged scheme that harmed the members and integrity of the organization she was entrusted to lead.”
Prosecutors say that from 2013 to 2022, Brady and George engaged in a conspiracy to steal more than $1.2 million each from the union through a variety of methods, including selling leave time they had not accrued or earned back to DTU, and by paying themselves unauthorized bonuses and fake reimbursements.
The duo concealed the scheme by providing false information to DTU’s auditor and signing each other’s checks when distributing the unaccrued and unearned payments. The deception was also hidden from the State of Florida’s Public Employee Relations Commission in legally required filings.
Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, aiding and abetting wire fraud, and aiding and abetting mail fraud. Brady also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering.
At the sentencing hearing, current members of the DTU described the financial and reputational toll the crimes have taken on the union.
“I don’t think we’ll probably come back from this for a very, very long time,” said Tammy Brooks-Evans, current president of DTU. “All we can do is continue to do the right thing for our members, be transparent and provide the support they need.”
This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the FBI.