Bowie Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzlement

A Bowie woman faces up to five years in prison for embezzling at least $379,000 from a labor union, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Ava L. Ramey, 61, pleaded guilty to embezzling the funds from December 2005 to October 2009 while serving as an assistant trustee and a trustee for the United Government Security Officers of America Local 21, based in Bowie.

According to the Justice Department, Ramey admitted writing more than $80,000 in checks from the union to herself or to “cash” for her personal use. The DOJ also said she purchased more than $70,000 in merchandise with the union debit card; withdrew more than $160,000 from the union’s bank account; and wrote more than $60,000 in checks from the union to her family members.

Ramey faces a maximum of five years in prison to be followed by three years supervised probation. She also faces a $250,000 fine.

Her sentencing is scheduled for October 12, 2012.