Former union official sentenced to probation for embezzling member funds through 51 unauthorized transactions over 2 years

PORTLAND, OH - Former National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 533 treasurer Samantha Zirkle was sentenced to six years of probation and ordered to pay $74,663 in restitution following a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The department's Office of Labor-Management Standards in Cincinnati found that Zirkle, while serving as treasurer of National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 533, signed and cashed at least 51 unauthorized checks worth $64,663 between May 4, 2022, and March 25, 2024. The unauthorized checks were drawn from the union's account and made payable to Zirkle for her personal benefit.

On April 20, 2026, Zirkle pleaded guilty in the Howard County, Indiana Superior Court 4 to theft. The $74,663 of restitution ordered at sentencing includes the full amount stolen and an additional $10,000 in liquidated damages. Zirkle was also barred from serving as a union official for 13 years.

"Samantha Zirkle's coworkers trusted her to maintain sound fiscal stewardship of their hard-earned dues but instead she treated the union as her personal piggybank," said Office of Labor-Management Standards Regional Director Megan Ireland in Cincinnati. "The Office of Labor-Management Standards will continue to protect unions and their members by holding accountable anyone attempting to use their position for personal financial gain at the expense of union members."

Labor union fraud such as embezzlement, filing false reports, maintaining false records, destroying or concealing records, and other criminal activity can be reported by email to [email protected], to the OLMS National Office at 202-693-0143, or to your local OLMS field office. Find your local OLMS office.