Thief who stole from jail workers’ union goes to prison

A federal judge in Kansas City on Monday sentenced to prison the former president of the union representing Jackson County corrections workers.

Jesse E. Morgan, 39, of Kansas City, pleaded guilty previously to wire fraud for embezzling when he was president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The judge sentenced him Monday to 21 months and ordered him to pay $138,011 in restitution.

From a media release by federal prosecutors:

Morgan admitted he used his scheme during most of his tenure as president, from November 2008 through October 2012.

“Morgan issued checks from Local 1707 to third parties for his benefit or to himself; made electronic transfers from Local 1707 bank accounts; and made unauthorized counter withdrawals from Local 1707 checking and savings accounts,” prosecutors said in the release.