Ypsilanti Steelworkers Union President Sentenced to Federal Prison for Embezzling Union Funds

On Apr. 29, 2025, Dilanjan Miller, 38, was sentenced today to six months in federal prison after pleading guilty to bank fraud, Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced. Prosecutors state Miller used the almost $60,000 in union funds to pay for five flights to Florida, Las Vegas and Atlanta, rental cars in Florida and Atlanta, and used the Bank of Ann Arbor debit card belonging to the union at a jewelry store and several footwear shops in addition to paying for hotel rooms.

Joining Beck in the announcement is Thomas Murray, District Director of the Detroit-Milwaukee District Office of the Department of Labor-Office of Labor-Management Standards.

Miller was sentenced after pleading guilty before the Honorable Laurie Michelson to bank fraud. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Judge Michelson ordered Miller to pay restitution to the union.

Miller’s union represents about 30 machine operators, inspectors, stock chasers and rackers at Marsh Plating in Ypsilanti, according to the plea agreement. 

According to the facts alleged in the information and further developed at the plea hearing, USW Local 2513 represented machine operators, inspectors, stock chasers, and rackers at Marsh Plating in Ypsilanti. Miller was elected President of Local 2513 in April 2018.  Miller also assumed all financial duties of Local 2513 as acting Financial Secretary and Treasurer. While President, Acting Financial Secretary, and Acting Treasurer of the union, Miller embezzled approximately $47,347 of union funds in the custody and control of the Bank of Ann Arbor by issuing approximately 38 unauthorized checks to himself and forging the signature of the second signatory on 20 of those checks; issuing approximately four unauthorized checks made payable to a family member; and making approximately two unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account.

Miller also used the union’s Bank of Ann Arbor debit card as his own personal debit card. He made at least 184 unauthorized personal purchases, totaling approximately $11,259. His purchases with the union’s debit card included flights, hotel rooms, rental cars, and retail purchases. For example, Miller used the debit card to pay for five flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and Atlanta and for rental cars in Florida and Atlanta. Miller also used the debit card at a jewelry store and several footwear shops.

Acting U.S. Attorney Beck commended the work of the Department of Labor in conducting this criminal investigation of a corrupt union officer and said, “Union officials are expected to serve with integrity.  This prosecution demonstrates that we will not tolerate union officers who abuse their authority and line their own pockets at the expense of the union’s membership. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out corruption and fraud involving unions.”

Miller’s attorney, in a sentencing memo wrote that Miller acknowledges the seriousness of his conduct, but there is more to him, and she included letters of support from his mother, girlfriend, friends and former co-worker. The attorney told the court that the letters paint a picture of a man “who has been intensely devoted to the well-being of family, faith, and redemption. They portray him as a man of generous heart and spirit. And, they also demonstrate his great and sincere remorse.”

“Dilanjan Miller betrayed the trust of his fellow union members and failed in his fiduciary duties when he stole over $58,000 from Steelworkers Local 2513 for his personal benefit through multiple embezzlement schemes,” said U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards District Director Thomas Murray. “Today’s sentencing leaves no question as to the department’s commitment to seek justice when anyone puts personal financial gain ahead of the best interests of their fellow union members.”