Jacksonville Teachers Union VP Prepares Guilty Plea in $1.2M Fraud Scheme

Ruby George, the former executive vice president of Duval Teachers United, is scheduled to plead guilty on August 4 to charges related to a $1.2 million fraud scheme involving unearned vacation time. George and former DTU President Terrie Brady were indicted last December on conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud charges for selling back unused leave time that they had not accrued, and for falsifying union financial records submitted to the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission. Both initially pleaded not guilty and were set for trial in September, but George's plea raises questions about potential cooperation with prosecutors and its impact on Brady's case. The indictment alleges the two concealed their fraudulent activities by signing each other's checks and hiding payments from union auditors and officials. Prosecutors seek forfeiture of approximately $2.6 million in proceeds from the fraud, and both women face decades in prison if convicted. The Duval Teachers United represents about 6,500 educators, making this a significant breach of trust within the local education community.