In addition to two Asst. U.S. Attorneys in Boston name in the last Union Corruption Update, the U.S. Dep’t of Justice has honored four federal prosecutors from Chicago for arguably helping to clean up the Laborers’ Int’l Union of N. Am. Among thirty-one individuals receiving the Atty. Gen.’s Distinguished Service Award in a ceremony in Washington on July 28 for their work on a number of matters were First Asst. U.S. Atty. Gary S. Shapiro; Thomas P. Walsh, chief of the Civil Division in the U.S. Atty.’s Office; and Asst. U.S. Attys. Craig A. Oswald and David D. Buvinger. All are from the U.S. Atty.’s Office for the N. Dist. of Ill.
The four were recognized for their efforts in a decade-long battle to remove the corrupting influence of organized crime from LIUNA. Oswald and Buvinger had the primary responsibility for day-to-day involvement in monitoring union activities and reform efforts. Walsh and Shapiro were more involved in negotiations with union lawyers and others to make these measures work. [Chi. Daily L. Bull. 8/1/00]