Union Official Confined to Home While He Comes Up With More Money
Allen Scott Gheen came to court yesterday with $50,000. Over the next 6 years he has to come up with an additional $32,000.
Gheen had been the Secretary/Treasurer of IAFF Local 1619, the Prince George’s County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Association. While in that position, Gheen stole more than $82,000 from the union between June of 2003 and July of 2005. Gheen admitted to taking, for personal use, cash and credit cards belonging to Local 1619.
On Tuesday, Prince George’s County Circuit Court Judge Thomas P. Smith sentenced Gheen to 10 years in prison. All but 1 year of the sentence has been suspended. That year will be spent under home detention at his house in Lusby, Maryland. The judge also ordered 5 years of supervised probation and alcohol counseling. Gheen has been ordered to repay the remaining $32,000. The 36-year-old Gheen pleaded guilty in March to an aggregate theft scheme.
In a statement, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey said, ““We are glad that this defendant made a significant restitution to the firefighters. Justice has been done for these victims. This scam was brought to our attention by the new Executive Board leadership. This defendant must be held accountable for the hardship, disruption of life and economic loss for the men and women that risk their lives everyday for the good people of Prince George’s County and when he finishes paying back the other $32,000 we will be even happier.”
