Dade City Minister Sentenced for Embezzling Union Funds

Gregory Sims of Dade City was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison this month for embezzling money from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 915. The federal court in Tampa also ordered Sims to re-pay $813,142.71 in restitution. Sims previously pleaded guilty to theft or embezzlement from an employee benefits plan. He faced a possible five-year prison sentence.

The court documents indicate that Sims is the pastor at The Crossroads Church of Dade City. He also managed the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 915′s (“IBEW”) union Health and Welfare Fund, Pension Fund and Vacation Fund from November 2007 through January 2009. He was responsible for financial record keeping, account reconciliation, fund activity, check issuance and preparation of financial statements.

Sims was hired in November 2007 by an administrator to manage the funds. About a year and a half later, in June 2009, an audit determined 11 checks totaling $813,142 had been written to “The Crossroads,” according to the plea agreement. Investigators determined Sims had diverted the money to the church. None of the checks were supported by proper documentation.

According to the plea agreement, Sims distributed the money “for his personal benefit, and for the use of his parishioners and associates.” To try to hide his embezzlement, according to court documents, Sims manipulated the bookkeeping to show payments to entities other than Crossroads Church.

The union has recovered its losses and its legal fees from the company that hired Sims, Antares Staffing Inc., a subsidiary of Medical Mutual Services. Presumably, Sims’ restitution (to the extent it is actually paid) will then be given to Antares/Medical Mutual (or its insurer) to reimburse their payment to the union.