Feds: Ex-union leader from Manhasset Hills embezzled $1.3 million

A Long Island man pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court on Wednesday to embezzlement and kickback schemes that defrauded  a small union he headed that provided benefit plans for industrial and service workers of $1.3 million.

Rocco Fazzolari, 58, of Manhasset Hills, former president of the East Meadow-based United Industrial Services Union Local 122, was accused of stealing union assets to fund personal expenses — including designer clothing, spa treatments, gym membership, a family car, cash and medical expenses.

In addition to embezzling $128,000, Fazzolari also admitted paying $1.1 million to Acclaim Administrators Inc. in return for purported services it didn’t provide as part of a kickback plan in which a co-conspirator returned most of the money to Fazzolari.

Fazzolari, who is listed as an actor with bit parts in four films on the website IMDb, faces up to 15 years in prison for embezzlement from a labor organization, embezzlement from a benefit plan and conspiracy.

He is out on bail, and his sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 28 before U.S. District Judge Annalisa Torres. As part of his plea, he has agreed to a 13-year ban from labor union activities, to forfeit $941,000 and to pay restitution to the union, officials said.

Fazzolari’s lawyer declined to comment on the plea.

With Joan Gralla