Pueblo politician Steven Barrera is accused of misusing union funds and appears to be under federal investigation. The Denver Post reported last week.
The newspaper reported that five current and former union employees confirmed they had been interviewed by investigators about Barrera’s time as president of American Federation of Public Employees Local 2430.
According to the paper’s investigation, whistleblowers who spoke to the paper estimated that Barrera received $100,000 in union funds.
However, Barrera was appointed to the Colorado State Board of Education and is currently a tri-state Republican candidate.rd Congressional District vehemently denied the allegations in an interview with the chief, claiming they were politically motivated.
Allegations against Barrera
Varela, a former military social worker, became president of AFGE Local 2430 in 2016. Multiple union officials told The Denver Post that Barrera is suspected of disbursing union funds without member approval or proper accounting.
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For example, the whistleblowers claimed that Barrera attended numerous meetings and stayed in expensive hotels.
Barrera said he was attending the meeting to fulfill his responsibilities as union president. He also said he had “always followed protocol on everything” and opted for the cheaper option.
According to the Post, AFGE’s Southern Colorado chapter merged with Denver-based Local 1117 in 2020, not because of the allegations surrounding Barrera, but because of broader concerns under the Trump administration that weakened the union. It is said to be for federal reform.
Andre Cunningham, president of AFGE Local 1117, told The Denver Post that Varela “disobeyed” federal agents’ instructions in early 2020 and failed to provide bank account information.
Local 1117 representatives contacted by the chief referred questions to the local AFGE office. AFGE District 11 Vice President Tim Snyder said after consulting with the union’s attorney, he submitted his comments to AFGE’s national office.
A request for comment to the AFGE communications inbox was not returned.
Barrera said he amicably retired from AFGE but has not heard from federal investigators.
He speculated that the allegations in Post’s report could be a “political hit job” because AFGE’s national union donates to some Democratic organizations.
“They know I’m a Republican and I’m running for Congress. I have a great chance to win this district,” Barrera said.
In a fundraising email he shared with the Chieftain, Varela repeatedly referred to the Post’s reporting as “fake news.”
Mr. Varela’s campaign consultant, Alan Philippe, shared documents with the chief showing that AFGE’s senior management reviewed Mr. Varela’s local 2018 and 2019 financial records and affirmed proper accounting treatment. did.
What is the status of the investigation?
Federal authorities have been investigating Barrera’s tenure as union president for about four years, the newspaper reported. However, the Ministry of Labor would not confirm or deny that an investigation was being conducted, in accordance with the ministry’s protocol.
A DOL spokesperson did not respond to the Secretary’s request for comment for further details.
What has Valera been up to?
Barrera briefly ran for Pueblo City Council in 2019, but lost as a Republican candidate for the Pueblo County State Senate seat in 2022. Mr. Barrera has changed party affiliation at least 18 times since 2010, according to state voting records.
He was president of the Dolores Huerta Charter School in Pueblo, but resigned in November 2022 following his loss in the state Senate race. After he was appointed to the State Board of Education in early 2023, he was briefly considered a candidate for Colorado Republican Party chairman.
Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for Pueblo chiefs. Contact her at awinfrey@gannett.com. Support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.
