They have finally been caught but not before a major participant in the long running scheme had died. Since he is dead, I guess it can’t be said he was “caught”.
In bullet point format here are the kinds of things that were going on for many years…
Ø The guy who is dead teamed up with his bargaining-table opponent at Fiat Chrysler.
Ø Federal Officials say they and other conspirators skimmed millions from the UAW National Training Center, a tax-exempt, Fiat Chrysler-funded entity that was supposed to help union automotive workers get job training.
Ø Bought Limited Edition Gold Montblanc Pens.
Ø Bought a $350,000 Ferrari.
Ø Installed a Swimming Pool, Outdoor Kitchen and a Spa at one of the Union Official’s homes.
Ø Paid off a relative’s Student Loans.
Ø Spent $425,000 at a swag company owned by the wife of one of the Union Officials.
Ø $70,000 was funneled to a Union Boss’ Wife’s photography business.
Ø Paid for a Union Boss’ Wife’s first-class plane tickets.
Ø Paid for a Union Boss’ Wife’s $12,400 four-night stay at a Beverly Hills Hotel.
Ø A Union Boss paid off a $262,000 mortgage on a townhouse he and his wife owned.
The Feds say these scams ran for six and a half years before being uncovered.
Since 2001 at least 47 of the UAW’s members, including officials at several locals, have pleaded guilty to corruption and embezzlement charges.
A Union Official said of the scandal, “The UAW has zero tolerance for corruption or wrongdoing of this kind at any level.”
I guess this has to be called, Long Term and Ongoing Zero Tolerance.
Would I kid u?
Smartfella
Lagniappe: Can’t you just hear the Stealing Guys’ Lawyer saying in court, “Your Honor, I find it hard to believe the Prosecuting Attorney just said what he just said. He actually said he was against showing compassion for that impoverished former student who, through no fault of his own, was left burdened with all of those Student Loans. Paying off those loans was as caring an act generosity as I have ever seen. If my client had not stolen this money, he could never have helped his relative in this manner. Your Honor, I am a bit surprised that you even allowed such mean accusations into your courtroom. However, I am willing to forget this lapse on your part in the hope that we can move on to more serious issues like why it is absolutely necessary for Montblanc Pens to be carried by any Union Negotiator as he approaches the Negotiation Table.”
