by The Oregonian Wednesday January 21, 2009, 3:19 PM
A former TriMet labor leader was sentenced to a year in prison today for stealing more than $450,000 in union benefit funds.
Thomas V. Wallace, 50, of Wamic, admitted in May 2007 to forging checks drawn on bank accounts controlled by Local 757 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.
During the sentencing hearing, Wallace's attorneys asked the court for leniency, noting that Wallace had repaid about $140,000 to the union. They also claimed that the thefts were the result of a gambling addiction and other personal and health related circumstances.
U.S. District Court Judge Garr King ordered that he could remain working and repaying his debt until July, when he must report to prison. He will be allowed to leave his home only for work, medical appointments or as permitted by his probation officer.
Wallace served as the elected financial secretary and treasurer of the union since 1997. The union represents transit workers in Oregon and southwest Washington, including about 2,100 of TriMet's 2,500 employee
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