ATHENS, N.Y. — Former labor leader Kye Carbone, 68, of Athens, New York, was arrested on October 17, 2025, after being indicted on federal charges for allegedly embezzling nearly $300,000 from the union representing faculty at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute.
Carbone, who served as president of the United Federation of College Teachers Local 1460 for over two decades, is accused of diverting union funds from 2011 until he was voted out of office in 2023. Prosecutors allege he used the money to cover personal expenses, including travel, dining, bills, and renovations on a private property in Athens, Greene County.
“As alleged, Carbone embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union he claimed to serve and used the money to fund his lifestyle and buy a home in the Hudson Valley,” said Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III.
The case was investigated by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General. Special Agent-in-Charge Jonathan Mellone noted, “An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations of fraud involving labor unions.”
Carbone faces three counts of wire fraud and 27 counts of embezzlement. Each wire fraud count carries a maximum of 20 years in prison, while embezzlement counts carry up to five years. He was arraigned in Albany before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul J. Evangelista, pleaded not guilty, and was released pending trial. Prosecutors emphasized that the charges are allegations and Carbone is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
