EAA Union Executive Director Joe Kahraman Arrested For Grand Theft

Former EAA Union Executive Director Josif Kahraman was Arrested by LAPD Central Division officers in Downtown Los Angeles.

Joe Kahraman was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department at approximately 6:40 pm last night on a Single Felony Charge of Grand Theft.

He was released from custody early this morning on $20,000.00 Bail and is scheduled to appear in court on May 26th, 2011.

Arrested along with  Joe was his wife. Joe Was hired last year to replace outgoing Executive Director Bob Aquino. EAA union Refused comment when contacted.

Who was the Victim in the case?  EAA Union.

Was it embezzlement?  Did he raid the treasury?  Absolutely not.

He and his wife were arrested for allegedly stealing two laptops from EAA after being asked to leave the union offices after the Board placed him on Administrative leave.

What are some current issues at EAA?

• AFT Certification
• Financial Health of the Union
• Staff Employment

Wrap-up, In the last 24 hours Current Board of Governors have placed the Executive Director on Leave. Had him and his wife arrested for allegedly stealing EAA property, placed 2 staff members on leave, and Suspended 3 Governors pending investigation .

Educated members need to become informed and get all of the facts.

They are holding a Special Joint Stewards & Unit Council Members Meeting to discuss Pending Charges and Staff changes. Please attend the meeting on May 09, 2011 at 5:30 At the EAA Offices and get the facts for yourself.

Things need to get straightened out before the CAO abuses the members for the internal union issues.  All Options must be explored AFT is far from the only place to go.  AFT Organizers Must be excused from the union offices until the members have had a chance to look over all of the facts.

3 EAA Employees Have Been Placed On Leave.

Executive  Director  Joe Kahraman  has been let  go from the union.

Labor Representative Michael  Davies  is on temporary leave from the union.

Labor Representative Richard Sanchez is on temporary leave from the union.

EAA members also learned what happens when you make a deal with the Mayor or CAO, they go back on it imposing increased costs on the members resulting in EAA filing a UERP Charge.

Update

Yeretsian Law announced today that the Los Angeles County District Attorney will not file criminal charges against Engineers & Architects Association Executive Director Joe Kahraman and his wife Ani Kahraman.

The District Attorney’s office cited “lack of evidence” as one of the reasons for the decision.

The attorney for the Kahramans, Lara Yeretsian, commented, “We expected this outcome all along. Mr. and Mrs. Kahraman have done nothing wrong.” Mr. Kahraman was hired in 2010 to head the Engineers & Architects Association, which is the oldest Los Angeles City employee union, representing approximately 5,000 City employees.

“As the executive director of the union, Mr. Kahraman had every right and authority to possess the laptop computer and at no time did he or his wife intend to permanently deprive the union of it,” remarked Ms. Yeretsian.

“Mr. and Mrs. Kahraman have always acted in the best interest of the union and its members, and they are very pleased with the D.A.’s decision not to file any charges,” added Ms. Yeretsian.