NY contractor charged with stealing tens of millions of dollars from construction union

NY contractor accused of stealing from union

NEW YORK — A suburban New York City contractor charged with plundering construction union money is free on $10 million bond.

Melissa G. King of Irvington, N.Y., in Westchester County, is charged with theft and embezzlement. She also was charged Tuesday in Manhattan federal court with eight counts of money laundering.

Prosecutors say the 58-year-old stole tens of millions of dollars from Local 147 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America between 2002 and 2008.

King’s home-based company, King Care LLC, was hired to collect employer contributions, pay beneficiary claims, file reports with regulators, and maintain the books.

King’s lawyers insist she’ll be vindicated.

If convicted of the top charge, money laundering, King could face 10 years on each count plus fines.