MJ Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 From the Albany Times Union: NEW YORK -- Prosecutors say a lawyer ripped off a small union representing 80 dancers and stagehands with the American Ballet Theatre at Lincoln Center. Leonard Leibowitz was to appear Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan to face embezzlement charges. The 70-year-old Leibowitz was an attorney for the Independent Artists of America. Prosecutors say he used the union checkbook to write more than $350,000 in checks to himself, his law firm and his wife. The name of his lawyer was not immediately available. [end quote] Hopefully most of the money will be returned to the dancers and/or their retirement funds. Funny he was arrested just days after their very successful MOH spring season. Wonder if the arrest was scheduled until after the last performance in order to not spook the dancers. Link to comment
Natalia Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 "Small union"? I'm not familiar with the IAA. I had assumed that the ABT dancers were represented by AGMA, which is part of the AFL-CIO -- not so small. But that's beside the point. This is terrible news. I hope that the dancers and stagehands can recoup at least the money put into the fund. Link to comment
vrsfanatic Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 The ABT dancers formed their own union back in the 1980s I believe. This is a very sad story. May all of their money be recovered. Link to comment
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