Eagle ALPA investigation into ALPA funds...
 

A visit to the financial offices at ALPA HQ in Herndon, VA.



My Fellow Insignificant* New York Pilots --

(* A term used by ORD CA Rep Fxxxk Kxxxxxa to describe those NYC pilots who seek accountability and truthiness from elected Union Officers.)

Two weeks ago, I sent you an email from DFW FO Rep Kxxy Pxxl outlining his visit to the ALPA National Finance Offices in Herndon, VA. Below is an email from LGA's very own FO RXy IXXu. He and several others saw Kxxxy Pxxl's letter and were disheartened by its contents AND the continuing attacks on Kxxxly Pxxl's character so much so that they embarked on a visit to ALPA's Finance Office to see if Kxxxy Pxxl stumbled upon an anomaly or evidence of a pattern of abuse. I now present FO Ixxx's letter unedited and without further comment.

As always, you can contact Phil or myself via email at the addresses below.

Regards,
-Sam-



Fellow NY Pilots,

Like many of you I have become concerned with the ongoing issues related to our union finances and expense reports. On March 5th, 2013 I, along with two other Eagle pilots from other bases, went to ALPA National Headquarters to review the American Eagle financial expense records. We were greeted by ALPA staff and shown to a conference room which had been set aside for our use for the entire day. ALPA assigned a staff person to assist in our review and to navigate the computerized records systems. None of us were on any type of union leave; we did this on our own scheduled days off.

We were presented with expense records printed on several hundred 11x18 sheets of paper. They were printed by category, and by submitting person. We began with the bundle on top which was group meals. We reviewed a few hundred line entries. We requested computer records for more information on roughly 25 of the expense records. 17 of those records were of enough interest to warrant further investigation. In all cases of a reviewed record, either the dollar value was very high, the ratio of attendees was very low, the location, or time of day drew attention to the record. It was a very slow process to find the actual expense record to match the spreadsheet entry, recall the computer record, then review each entry on the record. Once complete we then would review the attached receipts. We made it through roughly 6 pages out of several hundred printed record sheets. We took notes copying as much data on those identified expense reports as time permitted. The group meals receipts were generic credit card receipts showing nothing more than the total bill. The group meals reports did include who the submitting person claimed attended each meal. Without a detailed receipt it was impossible to determine what had been purchased, or if the claimed number of people actually attended. We therefore copied receipt numbers and phone numbers for each establishment in the event authorized persons, or government agencies, wish to obtain the itemized receipt.

We then asked for and were provided with a spreadsheet printout of just items under the category snacks. This was provided to us within the hour on 8x11 spreadsheet paper. The report was approximately 10 pages in length. We then took notes and reviewed a few of the more notable expense reports. High dollar value, same date as group meals, and multiple similar entries stood out first. We took notes on these for later review. The snacks expense report contained little more than a generic credit card receipt.

We were informed that the impending snow storm had resulted in the airlines beginning to cancel many flights for the next day, and that evening flights from IAD were filling up. Rather than risk being trapped in DC, we opted to depart with what we had gathered thus far.

Today, 03-06-13, I began the review and formalization of a report of our activities. I also conducted a more in depth review a on a few of the more significant expense records. In reviewing the record of Txxy Gxxxxxxz on 07-21-12, for snacks in the amount of $1304 from an establishment listed as Azul. I conducted a google search and learned that Azul is a higher end Argentinian Bistro in Manhattan. No additional details were obtained.

I continued onto the next questionable expense which was on 08-03-12 for snacks. This was three receipts on the same day, all submitted by one person, from an establishment listed as Barmy. The three separate receipts on the same day were in the dollar amounts of $67.30, $71.47 and $38.58 for a total of $177.35. When I conducted a google search of the name Barmy in Washington DC the returns were for "Barmy Wine & Liquors" located at 1912 L Street NW, Washington, DC. Phone: (202) 833-8730. Its listed Category is retail wines and liquors. A visit to their website - Barmy Wines: You own Wine Store in Washington DC - provided numerous photo's of the establishment. There does not appear to be any food service at this establishment.

It should be noted, for purposes of this review, that the date of the Barmy snacks purchases is coincident with the same date as the $2085 in expenses discovered by DFW FO Representative KXXXy PXXl. These purchases appear to be in violation of union policy. These expenses seem to be conversion of union funds for unauthorized purchases. The expense record avoided any mention of alcohol, to the point of omitting the full name of the establishment. This may indicate an awareness that the expense was not legitimate, and the true nature was concealed so as to obtain reimbursement from union coffers.

A few observations became obvious to all of us during our review process. We are the only MEC in all of ALPA where the chairman and vice-chairman have permanent proxy authority to approve expense reports. We also observed that the pattern of providing only credit card receipts instead of itemized receipts is counter to any interest in preserving accountability or transparency.

There are several other expense reports we copied in our notes needing further review, including more from Chairman Gxxxxz among others. There were several hundred pages of reports, and in the time allotted we made it through roughly 6 pages. The research is continuing, additional findings will be included in a future report.

Fraternally,

Rxxxxxd Ixxu
LEC121 SPC Chairman

Well this wasn't the first place I would've expected to see this letter. Batten down the hatches. There's a storm coming!

Don't have a dog in the fight but keep up the good work.

The current dictatorship at Eagle ALPA has been on a personal feeding frenzy for years. Clearly corrupt, if you ask me and I think it obvious what is necessary.

When you cannot obtain or access itemized receipts or itemized spreadsheets for each financial transaction that is a huge red-flag! This means basically zero accountability and transparency for any items purchased. These are the very basics for all accountability and transparency. It is obvious the itemized receipt portion provided to a customer for a purchase was not forwarded with the generic receipt. The few overall figures noted obviously make your eyebrows scrunch.

Either the overseers are extremely stupid, or….they know how to play the game so very well. I know which option I choose.

Thanks for taking the time to dig in. Unfortunately, as they say; this is just the tip of the iceberg and can become a monumental time consuming task to review all items and also obtain anything specific to point at.

Great find! Keep digging and hold those in violation responsible. What ever happened to personal integrity?

Hopefully these DBs will lose their jobs and then have to repay all the money they wasted on purchases that shouldn't have been made.

The last time someone called to get a detailed reciept to verify a bogus expense claim.. they found it wasn't for food like he claimed, it was actually a huge bill for 57 drinks at Finnegans @ nearly $500 for 5 or so people. (The detailed receipt is posted in an older thread) The person that called the restaurant to find out what the bill was really for was punished, his union privileges pulled, and he was sent back to the line.

Corruption at it's finest..

Now, apparently they didn't like this getting out either and they revoked the 121 SPC Chair's email account today.

rhinopherret says, or….they know how to play the game so very well.

answeer who in the mec fits this, answer DR.

Congrats on the search! These guys sound like they should be recalled immediately.

Also - When looking through receipts see if there is one for a place called "Crystal City Restaurant". Its a strip club close to DCA, and popular for two reasons:

1) Its a nice place in a city with not too many gentlemens clubs

2) The credit card receipt shows "Crystal City Restaurant", not "Deja Vu Strip Club". This, according to a friend who entertains business clients, is popular because it allows receipts to sail through expense reports without any sort of red flag.

If Eagle pilots don't sack these two embarassing characters, they truly are a lost cause. NOTHING will EVER change there until this occurs.

Just...wow. I would think this kind of evidence would be more than enough for the other ALPA members on Eagle's board to ask these two clowns to step down and hopefully resign.

Couldn't agree more and wouldn't it be great if other airlines started "auditing" their unions to make sure this bs isn't going on.

Perhaps other airlines should.. If your an ALPA carrier, if you are a member in good standing, than you are well within your right to go to the ALPA offices in Herndon VA to review union expenses.

Keep up the good work guys.

This is not the first time this has come up at any airline, regional or major. Look up the expenses for National BOD events back in the day, lets say mid 2000's in Vegas. Truely shocking at the amount of money that is spent at those things.

The people I talked to over there were saying the Eagle union leaders were involved in embezzlement of union money and of submitting fraudulent expense reports.

Not surprised. ALPA will try to sweep it under the rug no doubt.

that is a surprise the mec at eagle was doing anything wrong. The MEC chairman, Vice chairman, SPC Chairman and Negotiating Chairman all are complicent.

No doubt. I'm sure our guys here (APA) do similar things; but by the sounds of it, the Eagle union was having money issues so they banned alcohol purchases using union money... correct?

New receipts posted today on the other sites. Another dinner with over $540 in booze.


And One receipt from the MEC chairman for strictly booze.

http://i47.tinypic.com/334rvrt.jpg

And still My personal favorite:

http://i45.tinypic.com/20p96w8.jpg

wow, good work.

is that legal? if it was not allowed, then wouldn't that be like stealing or something?

what nobody eats steak anymore? they call special meetings on a regular basis at eagle mec, looks like it is a bar fest more likely than actual union business unless being an alcoholic is union business. I think they have a drinking problem and all should enter employee assistance program.

I hear the HIMS program is hiring more Union volunteers!

we have some volunteers to enroll in the HIMS program but not run the program.

ALPA response
 

March 22, 2013

Captain Axxxny Gxxxxxez

Captain Dxxxd Rxxxr

Gentlemen:

I received a message from EGL pilot Xxx Xxxx complaining about an $89 expense incurred by Capt. Guxxxxez on August 4, 2012, and approved for reimbursement by Capt. Rxxxr. Mr.Xxxx provided the attached credit card receipt for Tony that matches the submitted expense, and it reflects a restaurant bill for alcoholic drinks. I have been advised that the Eagle MEC policy prohibits use of union funds for alcoholic drinks.

I must ask that you either explain the expense in a manner that would demonstrate that it is appropriate under ALPA and MEC policy, or repay the Association. Please respond promptly and in any event within seven days.

Fraternally,

Captain W. Rxxxxph Hxxxg Vice President-Finance

WRH/me

cc: X.Xxxx
T. Mxxxell
B. Coxxxte

It's a start. What about the other hundreds or even thousands of dollars used?

If this is rampant at Eagle, what about every other ALPA carrier? Disgraceful :( You need to get these guys fired!

20 Irish Car Bombs? I want to party with you Eagle guys.

No kidding!

the mec throws great parties thst the membership pays for and in return the pilots are screwed by management because the mec is to drunk to do anything.