The funds were discovered missing during a federal audit of the union. According to the paper, between 2002-2005 Jones purchased items on the local union's credit card, then charged the same items to the parent union and kept the money.

The 48-year-old Jones resigned as head of the Buffalo AFL-CIO Council in December citing a battle with depression, nine months into a three-year term. He gave up his jobs with the musicians' union in April.

Jones repaid $21,000 of the amount he had taken before the investigation began, and has since repaid nearly all the rest, according to the News. The local has reportedly tightened financial controls as a result of the thefts.

He is likely to face a sentence of 12-18 months, according to the paper.