UAW President Gary Jones was hit with two charges by federal prosecutors, who say he conspired to embezzle more than $1 million from the union.

The lengthy investigation into the UAW by federal prosecutors finally reached the top of the organization today with the two charges filed against former union President Gary Jones.

Jones was charged with leading the efforts to embezzle more than $1 million from the UAW. He was also hit with a second charge for failing to pay taxes on the money he stole from the union.

He is the 14^th UAW executive charged in the ongoing investigation, and U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said the query is not done, hinting that the union could be placed under government supervision due to the lack of internal controls.

(Key UAW official pleads guilty to embezzlement, tax charges.)

U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said former UAW President Gary Jones led the effort to embezzle more than $1 million from the union.

“It’s always an option,” he said during a press conference in Detroit Thursday afternoon, adding that former Teamsters President James Hoffa called that union’s time under federal control “positive. I think that’s something we should all pay attention to.”

Schneider confirmed that while the union is cooperating with investigators, that the level of assistance is below what they expect.

“We could use additional cooperation from the UAW,” he noted, adding he “expected” to get more help from the union.

Jones, 63, was charged in a criminal information filing with embezzling money from rank-and-file workers, and spending it on personal luxuries, including private villas, lavish golf trips, food, liquor and spas.

“Greed,” FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Steven D’Antuono said during the press conference. “Pure and simple greed.”

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Detroit worked in concert with the FBI, the IRS and other government agencies in the investigation of the UAW.

(UAW President’s Key Aide Faces Federal Criminal Charges.)

The former president of the United Auto Workers was formally charged with conspiring to embezzle UAW dues money and conspiring to use a facility of interstate commerce to aid racketeering crimes between 2010 and September 2019.

He was also charged with conspiring to defraud the United States by evading the payment of taxes on embezzled funds and causing the UAW to file false tax returns during the same period of time. He could get at least five years in jail for the two charges.

Schneider noted the type of filing used for the charges indicates that Jones is going to plead guilty, but that he has not done so yet. He did allow that they have been in communication with his attorney, however, no plea offer has been made yet.

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Steve D’Antuono called Jones’ actions “Greed. Pure and simple greed.”

The UAW was quick to denounce Jones.

“All UAW members including the UAW leadership are and should be angry about the charges of former UAW member Gary Jones and his alleged actions,” the union said in a statement. “This is a violation of trust, a violation of the sacred management of union dues, and goes against everything we believe in as a union.

(UAW Moves to Expel Eight More Former Executives.)

“Jones and all who betrayed the trust of our union should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, with no exceptions. The UAW – under the leadership of President Gamble and the entire IEB – moved last November to remove Jones from office and force his expulsion from the UAW. Action has been taken against other former UAW staff and officials who have violated union policies or laws.”

Michael Strong contributed to this report.