HONOLULU — A former office associate for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1186 was charged Monday with embezzling more than $44,000 in union dues.

The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division charged Lilinoe Smith with first-degree theft. She voluntarily surrendered for arrest on Monday.

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division charged Lilinoe Smith with first-degree theft

  • Charging documents filed with the Circuit Court of the First Circuit allege that between October 2018 and July 2021 Smith stole individual union members’ dues and falsified union records to conceal her crimes

  • Smith is scheduled to be arraigned on May 13, and if convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000

The charge followed an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Labor-Management Standards. Smith turned herself in to state Sheriffs on Monday morning.

Charging documents filed with the Circuit Court of the First Circuit allege that between October 2018 and July 2021 Smith stole individual union members’ dues and falsified union records to conceal her crimes. 

“Stealing from union members is a serious breach of trust,” said attorney general Anne Lopez. “Union members expect that when they pay their dues that the money is being used for union business. My department will work to ensure that anyone who steals union resources will be held accountable. I’d like to thank the U.S. Department of Labor for their thorough investigation and for their continued collaboration with my Department as we move forward with prosecuting this matter.”  

Ed Oquendo, district director for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards said his department is committed to promoting financial integrity and safeguarding union funds and assets.

“We are committed to seeking justice on behalf of union members when anyone puts personal financial gain ahead of the best interests of their membership,” he said. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

Smith is scheduled to be arraigned on May 13. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.