ROP

Manhasset Hills resident pleads guilty to defrauding union of $1.3M

Jed Hendrixson

A Manhasset Hills resident and former president of the United Industrial and Service Employees Union Local 122 pleaded guilty in federal court in Manhattan Wednesday to embezzlement and kickback schemes that defrauded the small union he headed of $1.3 million

Rocco Fazzolari, 58, was charged with embezzlement and defrauding East Meadow United Industrial Services Union Local 122, a small union he headed that provided benefit plans for industrial and service workers

He is currently out on bail, and sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 28 before U.S. District Judge Annalise Torres.

Prosecutors said Fazzolari embezzled $128,000 for personal expenses like designer clothing, spa treatments, a car and medical expenses.

He admitted to participating in a kickback scheme with Acclaim Administrators Inc. that saw over $1 million funneled through the company and back to him.

As a part of his plea deal, Fazzolari is banned from labor-union activities for 13 years, must forfeit $941,000 and pay restitution to the union.

Fazzolari is listed as an actor with bit parts in four films on the website IMDb, according to Newsday.

Newsday also reported that Fazzolari faces up to 15 years in prison for embezzlement from a labor organization, embezzlement from a benefit plan and conspiracy.

Efforts to reach East Meadow United Industrial Services Union Local 122 were unavailing.

Share this Article