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Corrupt LA Union Official Headed For Prison

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former head of a Los Angeles union is going to federal prison for stealing $52,000 from a voter outreach program.

The Los Angeles Times says 67-year-old Alejandro Stephens is scheduled to begin a four-month term on Wednesday.

Stephens is the former president of Service Employees International Union Local 660, which represents 50,000 Los Angeles County workers. Prosecutors say that in 2004 he and family members were paid by a non-profit voter outreach group for work they never performed. Stephens used the funds to win re-election to the union post.

Stephens pleaded guilty last year to mail fraud and tax evasion.

He tells the Times that he's ashamed of what he did.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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