In the first instance ever at the Fed. Election Comm’n, a completed Matter Under Review file was removed from the public record. It reportedly included sworn statements from AFL-CIO president John J. Sweeney, AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer Richard L. Trumka, ex-Teamsters political director William W. Hamilton, and ex-Clinton-Gore advisor Tony Coelho as well as others from the Clinton-Gore and many House campaigns. The files reportedly include an exhaustive and detailed survey of union political activity and a request for sworn answers from the Executive Office of the President. There were 6,024 pages. [politicalmoneyline.com 5/15/01] According to FEC, the file was prematurely released and will be re-released shortly. But it’s not clear if all 6,024 pages will be reissued.
Chicago Bosses to Face Internal Charges
Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Int’l Union filed internal union charges May 10 against three ex-bosses of HERE Local 1 in Chicago: president Terrence Maloney, secretary Scott Schneider, and treasurer Jim Dyson. In June 1999, Local 1 held a bash for the bosses’ election victory at the Drake Hotel with a $17,000 tab. At the time, the local was nearly $1 million in debt, had little cash, and no strike fund. The findings will be turned over to the Dep’t of Labor for possible further action. [Chi. Trib. 5/11/01]
Tainted Chicago Trusteeship to End
HERE boss John W. Wilhelm said May 10 that he was lifting the trusteeship imposed on HERE Local 1 in Nov. 1999 so the local could hold elections in June. [Chi. Trib 5/11/01] Wilhelm was apparently reacting to federal suit filed Mar. 16 by Local 1 members seeking an order to compel HERE to end the trusteeship. The suit followed a Mar. 14-16 trusteeship hearing, which DOL ordered after finding that HERE violated labor law. [BNA 3/21/01]
FBI Seizes D.C. Union’s Records
The FBI reportedly seized records and computers from the Washington, D.C., police union office May 17. The probe began in 2000 after G.G. Neill, newly elected Frat’l Order of Police/Metro. Police Dep’t Labor Comm. chairman, reported possible wrongdoing in the internal affairs unit. Funds were allegedly misspent on personal items, like clothing, shoes, art, and a Poconos newlywed resort trip. [Wash. Post 5/18/01]