3 ex-Boilermakers convicted of racketeering, embezzlement of KC union’s funds
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- A jury convicted Newton Jones, his wife and a retired executive of racketeering.
- The jury found defendants guilty of health care fraud conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy.
- Sentencing for the convicted defendants is set for Sept. 1.
A jury on Friday convicted former Boilermakers International President Newton Jones, his wife and a retired union executive of racketeering conspiracy, embezzlement and other felonies, concluding a monthlong trial over the alleged theft of millions from the Kansas City-based union.
Newton Jones, 72, who led the union from 2003 until his ouster in 2023, and William Creeden, the union’s former international secretary-treasurer, were found guilty of one count of racketeering conspiracy, 23 counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, three counts of theft in connection with health care, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of theft from an employee retirement plan.
Jones’ wife, Kateryna Jones, 33, whose title was special assistant to the president, was convicted of one count of racketeering conspiracy, seven counts of embezzlement from a labor organization, one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and one count of theft in connection with health care.
Lawrence McManamon, 78, a former international vice president, was found guilty of three counts of embezzlement from a labor organization.
Senior U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree set their sentencing dates for Sept. 1.
“I think justice was served, but it’s been a long time in the making,” said Brian Opland, former business manager of Seattle-based Boilermakers Local 104, who testified as a government witness at the trial and was in court for the verdict on Friday.
“Twenty-plus years of corruption,” he said. “And what’s sad is that they truly believed they were entitled to do what they did.”
The counts for racketeering conspiracy, health care fraud conspiracy and wire fraud each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The government also is seeking a $20 million forfeiture.
The maximum penalty for theft in connection with health care and theft from an employee retirement plan is 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. The embezzlement counts have a maximum penalty of five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.
The verdict came after 2 1/2 days of jury deliberations and on the 24th day of the trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas. The trial was held in Kansas City, Kansas, because the alleged crimes occurred when the union was based there. Its headquarters was relocated to Kansas City in 2023.
The four defendants were among seven former union members indicted in August 2024 for conspiracy to commit offenses under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, as well as other felonies.
The government alleged that the defendants conspired to embezzle millions that went toward salary and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans.
This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 1:35 PM.
