HARRISBURG, PA — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced on Monday the filing of charges against Christen Woods and Tracy Hardy for allegedly orchestrating a theft scheme that siphoned over $150,000 from a Philadelphia healthcare workers’ union. The funds were diverted to Hardy’s political consulting firm through a series of deceptive maneuvers.
Woods, 39, who held a position as an executive officer within District 1199C of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, is accused of approving union payments to Hardy’s unlicensed construction company under false pretenses. According to the investigation conducted by the Office of Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the duo misled the union’s executive board with fabricated bids from other companies to inflate the price paid for bar renovations at the union’s premises. Subsequently, a significant portion of these payments were funneled to Hardy’s political consulting firm, purportedly to support political activities ahead of the 2019 Democratic Primary election.
The grand jury’s investigation led to recommendations for charges against both men, including participation in corrupt organizations, theft, and forgery. Hardy, 51, alongside Woods, faces accusations of circumventing Pennsylvania campaign finance laws and federal union reporting regulations.
Following their arraignment on Friday night, both defendants were released without bail. “These two men are accused of defrauding a workers’ union through an elaborate theft and diversion ruse for political ends,” stated Attorney General Henry, emphasizing the commitment of her office to uphold legal standards governing union support for political campaigns.
Woods is specifically charged with conspiracy, dealing in unlawful proceeds, theft by deception, failure to make required disposition of funds, receiving stolen property, and forgery. Hardy’s charges mirror those, barring the count related to the failure to make required disposition of funds.
The case, which promises to rigorously test Pennsylvania’s legal framework around political financing and union governance, will be prosecuted by the Public Corruption Section of the Office of Attorney General. While the allegations present a detailed account of misuse of union funds, it is pivotal to remember that the accused are deemed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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