Washington Teachers Union Embezzlement Payback

In Jaunary of 2004, former Washington DC Education Association Presidetn Barbara Bullock was sentenced to nine years in prison for embezzlement. Bullock had embezzled some $4.5 million in funds from the teacher's union treasury and bought some extravagent, by any standard, items, including fur coats (lots of them--including some she had never worm) and silver serving sets complete with a berry spoon and ice cream forks. Well the teacher's union was getting pay back yesterday as an auction of Bullock's ill-gotten goods was held.

Union Controller Derrick Palmer smiled as the auction began, seeing dollar signs ringing up in the union's register. Not all the items were for sale at this auction, and it was unclear exactly how much money was made. Union officials are hoping to recoup up to $3 million of the $4.5 million that Bullock was convicted of stealing.

"I can't wait to deposit it all," Palmer said as he gazed at 19th-century Tiffany silver in an oak Tiffany box designed with a special compartment for each piece.

[snip]

There were 13 furs and 37 handbags up for auction from a variety of designers: Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, Judith Leiber and Kieselstein-Cord. Bullock was a fan of Chanel purses: There were 11 in various colors and designs.

To bad some 33 percent of the money can never be returned.