Teaching Profession A National Roundup

Former Miami Union Chief Dies

By Vaishali Honawar — July 17, 2007 1 min read
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Pat L. Tornillo Jr., the former president of the United Teachers of Dade who went to prison for swindling millions from the Miami union, died June 24 at his home in Tallahassee, Fla. Mr. Tornillo, 81, had been in hospice care. During the 40 years that he led the UTD, he came to be known as one of the nation’s most progressive teachers’ union leaders. But in 2003, an investigation of UTD finances found that Mr. Tornillo and other top union officials had embezzled as much as $3.35 million. Mr. Tornillo agreed to a plea bargain and was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

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A version of this article appeared in the July 18, 2007 edition of Education Week

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