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Lawyer: LA Union Leader Denies Theft Charges

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A lawyer for a prominent Los Angeles union official and his wife says allegations of grand theft against the couple are unfounded.

Josif Kahraman, the head of the Engineers and Architects Association, and his wife, Ani, were arrested this week following a report of a theft at the union's office.

Police say the couple was accused by other union members of taking a laptop computer.

Attorney Lara Yeretsian said Saturday that the Kahramans deny any wrongdoing. Yeretsian says the couple would not be speaking directly to the press.

On Thursday, the union announced that Kahraman went on "indefinite leave" and two labor representatives went on temporary leave. Three members of the governing board were also suspended on allegations of misconduct related to the theft.

The union, LA's largest, represents about 5,000 city employees.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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