BATH – A former official from the Local S6, Bath Iron Works’ largest union, was indicted on Wednesday in United States District Court for embezzling funds from the union.

Ryan Jones of Biddeford is alleged to have stolen $280,000 while serving as the Secretary Treasurer of the Local S6 from May 2012 to November of 2016. He’s charged with embezzlement, a Class C felony that carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The International Assoication of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) confirmed an internal investigation into allegedly missing funds back in March of this year. As of July 5, that internal investigation was ongoing.

Local S6 President Mike Keenan directed questions about the indictment and the investigation to IAM. 

“The IAM Grand Lodge discovered the missing funds that are involved in this case and promptly conducted an internal investigation in accordance with our union’s constitution and the law,” said IAM in a press release. “The union found that the former officer misappropriated these funds and barred him from holding union office. The union then on its own initiative informed the Department of Labor of this theft and turned over all documents to the DOL, which resulted in this indictment. The IAM investigation concluded that no other current or past officers were involved in the loss.”
 
“The union has filed a claim with its bonding company and expects full restitution to be paid back to the members of IAM Local S6,” it continues. “The IAM has and will continue to cooperate with authorities.”

Juliette Laaka contributed to this report.