December 17, 2007: Charged with embezzling members’ money, Don Hahs faces harsher punishment now that the Independent Review Board has rejected a proposed settlement as too light.

In September, the IRB charged Hahs, the president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), with embezzling over $58,000 in members’ money.

The IRB instructed Hoffa to conduct an internal hearing to hear the charges against Hahs. Instead Hahs cut a deal with Hoffa to repay about $40,000 and take a six-month suspension.

The IRB called the deal insufficient, and told Hoffa to re-convene the three-member panel.

From 2004 to 2006, the IRB Chief Investigator charged that Hahs spent $47,880 on tickets to Cleveland Cavs basketball games for his personal use.

The IRB charges also include:

• A three-day fishing trip in Alaska. Hahs was in Alaska for one day for a meeting then cut out for a fishing trip.
• Taking his wife on union trips. Since 2004, Hahs charged the union $7,951.97 for his wife’s tickets and meals.
• A week-long trip to Las Vegas with his wife that cost $1,677.77. Hahs and the union have no record of the reason for his trip.
• $923 in hotel room movies. Hahs says his grandson enjoyed them; Hahs often brought his grandson along at union expense.

If Hahs is found guilty, he will face a harsher penalty, up to possible expulsion from the union.

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