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Former Border Patrol union chief indicted for fraud

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    William La Jeunesse reports from Los Angeles, California

  • Duration 3:32
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Busted for.

Broad a former Border Patrol union chief is indicted on charges of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in union finances.

-- you're our starting right now America's Newsroom -- Friday morning good to have you here everybody.

I'm Martha -- -- Good morning -- -- in for bill.

22 years on the job is union she's now Terrence.

Formally of the national Border Patrol council is on the other side of the law.

He's accused of cashing in on personal trips meals sporting events even visits to an alleged mistress.

None and I can't do that writes a court documents show that he submitted six years worth of travel expenses.

William watch NASA's finest -- West Coast newsroom so William what is this indictment exactly -- let us.

Well Martha first of all -- wasn't alone he was president of the union council but the secretary treasurer.

Of the union was also accused of knowing about this and helping him pull it off a -- has been with the Border Patrol for 32 years 22 as union president.

That means he's not in the field he worked out of his home outside San Diego we traveled around the country a lot.

Going to union -- rather to Border Patrol substation is negotiating -- meeting with reporters so -- travel a lot.

Now he controlled the -- executive committee of the union and adopted policies that allowed him to do this like clothing allowances gifts for spouses and children and something called lost wages which is basically.

Over time but prosecutors found that he built the union for 78000.

Dollars for work that he did not do.

And about fifty grand for travel that was personal not professional life.

Visiting family and friends his mistress in Chicago going to -- games and other sporting events.

The indictment claims -- Bonner would submit false claims seeking lost wages for time frames when he was now working.

Where union activities but at home.

Downloading -- archiving pornography.

On hard drives purchased by Barbara at union expects.

So basically Martha you've got this large union yet 141000 guys were -- around every day.

In the desert heat of the southwest to the freezing -- and the northern border.

Paying about 12100 dollars in union dues.

-- their money was controlled by two guys with no oversight and they allegedly stole.

-- and I think he deserves a trip to his mistress once in awhile I mean just should be part of your work -- right got to be able to expense that.

I don't believe of all these allegations so what is the Border Patrol union who as you say put all their hard earned money into these union dues was -- action.

Well I can tell you the rank and file feels violated.

I know in the past -- management always derided -- honor I've talked him you've talked to him.

Over the years that was expected but you know he was the voice of the union and I spent a lot of time in the field in Texas California Euro -- -- And I don't hear much complained about how they were represented a George -- coven.

Who has succeeded Bonner is union president said this quote obviously this is going to be a black guy -- our organization for years we -- always above any of this.

It's clear this is was an isolated incident there were no other union he must -- current union officers involved this was strictly on TJ.

Now I don't know where this tip came from the wind it was prosecute by the US attorney's office out of San Diego I know is under investigation -- that some people I've Maurice talked to today said they knew that he was under investigation for a period of time it is a lot of jail time if convicted.

And eleven counts twenty years per count that's how.

Serious charges traveling thank you -- -- Maceda.

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