A former Connecticut union president was convicted Wednesday and faces up to five years in prison for stealing nearly $38,000 from union coffers, federal prosecutors say.
Thomas Popillo, 61, of Newington, pleaded guilty in Hartford federal court to one count of embezzlement and theft of labor union funds while an officer of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 81266. The Newington local has about 90 members, according to its homepage.
According to investigators, Popillo was secretary-treasurer, and later president, of CWA Local 81266 from 2003 through 2017.
During his tenure, Popillo embezzled approximately $37,568.68 of union funds by receiving unauthorized checks from the local’s bank account, and by making unauthorized purchases with its debit card.
Popillo, who could not be immediately reached Wednesday, is free on $25,000 bond, pending scheduling of his sentencing.
