ALBANY, N.Y. - Thursday, NEWS10 confirmed a criminal complaint has been filed against a now-former CDTA union president after an internal audit revealed he misused union money.
Steve Green began his career with CDTA nearly 20 years ago. He was first hired as a bus driver, then promoted to a supervisor, and then seven years ago moved over to become CDTA's union president and business agent.
Union members say Green was well-liked, had some political pull and was trusted to oversee the pension fund for about 575 current members and about 200 retired members.
But that all ended two weeks ago with a shocking blow.
Thursday, police confirmed with NEWS10 they have opened an investigation into Green and what he has admitted to doing: Stealing thousands of dollars from his former co-workers.
The financial secretary of CDTA's union, Mark Gerling, says two weeks ago a pension fund trustee approached the union with accusations that Green had been dipping into the pension fund, and that $3,800 was missing.
Gerling says when Green was confronted at their Colonie office, he quickly admitted to taking the money, but that he also repaid the money.
NEWS10 went to Green's Rensselaer home Thursday to ask what he had to say to his former members, but he would only speak from behind his screen door, apologizing for his actions.
Green may have paid the money back, but that has not stopped the union from seeking criminal action against him.
The union says Green resigned from his position and that the international arm of their union will be in town on Monday to audit all their funds.
NEWS10 ABC
