AFM Exec Pleads To Theft

Enex Steele, a former executive director of the American Federation of Musicians, pleaded guilty January 18th to stealing thousands of dollars from the union’s coffers.

Steele, who was in charge of the AFM’s Sound Recording Special Payments Fund, had been accused of stealing $200,000 out of the multimillion-dollar fund. The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree larceny in Manhattan’s State Supreme Court.

Attorney Mathew Mari said his client “did some things wrong, and that’s why he pleaded guilty. He has taken responsibility for what he did.”

Steele forfeited $50,000 from the sale of his condo and signed a document stating he owes the royalty fund $150,000.

The exec used the stolen money to buy items including Tiffany cuff links, Ferragamo shoes, a $2,000 cigar humidor and a $5,000 tuxedo. He rented expensive cars, flew first-class to the Grammy Awards show (attending was not part of his job), and stayed in fancy hotels, according to prosecutors.

Steele also flew to Cuba, courtesy of the fund, according to investigators.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 4th.