Ex-Nat. Maritime Union Employee Pension & Welfare Plan boss Thomas LaForgia was charged May 11 with receiving $237,000 in kickbacks for referring members to a Mass. school for training mandated by the U.S. Coast Guard. LaForgia is responsible for where and when members receive training. According to prosecutors, LaForgia contacted the Northeast Maritime Inst. in New Bedford and arranged for NMU members to attend classes at the school in 1996. LaForgia then began demanding the school purchase items for him. The items reportedly included airline tickets, electronic equipment, jewelry and liquor. In Nov. 1998, the school said it would stop purchasing the items, he then cancelled previously scheduled classes and ceased sending members to the school. He faces three years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a restitution order. [BNA 5/12/99]
