HOUSTON, TEXAS (BNO NEWS) – The former Southern Region Coordinator of the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) has been charged with embezzlement in Texas, prosecutors said Thursday.

Frankie L. Sanders, 46, of Houston, Texas, allegedly stole more than $10,000 in union funds between July 2003 and through May 2006 by creating and submitting more than 20 false hotel receipts to the APWU national headquarters for reimbursement. The allegedly false reimbursement claims were paid by the APWU via wire transfer of funds and totaled approximately $13,145.

The APWU is a national labor organization based in Washington, D.C. serving 262,000 mail service employees with five regional offices. Sanders served as the APWU Southern Region Coordinator, which is located in Houston, Texas, from February 4, 2002 through October 2006. He is currently employed as a postal clerk in Houston.

Sanders surrendered to federal authorities Thursday morning. He is expected to appear in court later in the afternoon after he was charged with embezzlement of union funds and wire fraud.

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