A FORMER UNION PRESIDENT ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND ATTEMPTING TO EVADE PAYROLL TAXES HAS PLED GUILTY IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN ABINGDON VIRGINIA. DARRELL PENDERGRASS WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO APPEAR BEFORE A GRAND JURY AND PLED GUILTY TO EMBEZZLEMENT AND TAX EVASION. HE SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE OF THEATRICAL STAGE EMPLOYEES LOCAL 699. DURING THAT TIME HE ALLEGEDLY BILKED THE UNION OF MORE THAN 70-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID PAYING PAYROLL TAXES. PENDERGRASS FACES UP TO 10 YEARS BEHIND BARS AND FINES OF UP TO 500-THOUSAND DOLLARS WHEN HE’S SENTENCED ON JULY 29TH.