Ex-Nebraska union official makes deal, pleads guilty

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - An April sentencing has been scheduled for a retired Nebraska union leader who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $100,000 in union funds.

Ray Lineweber entered his plea Friday after striking a deal with prosecutors who promised to seek the dismissal of 28 other counts, according to the Lincoln Journal Star (http://bit.ly/1DP9GQG ). Lineweber had rejected a plea deal offer last month.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Mickle said evidence shows Lineweber embezzled nearly $103,000 from the United Transportation Union between January 2008 and May 2012, when he was legislative director for the union's Nebraska State Legislative Board 30. Lineweber said in court Friday that he used the money on union members.

"I felt what I was doing was right," Lineweber told U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart. But he acknowledged that he used some of the money for himself.

Mickle said Lineweber asked the union to reimburse him for money he spent on food and entertainment, mileage and fees for dinners he said he'd hosted and trips. But Mickle said Lineweber made up those expenses and took the reimbursement money for his own use. The prosecutor said there's no evidence Lineweber used any of the money for union purposes.

Lineweber could get up to five years in prison and be fined up to $250,000 when he's sentenced on April 17. Mickle said the government also will seek restitution.

___

Information from: Lincoln Journal Star, http://www.journalstar.com