The head of the union that represents carpenters in the New York City area refused to relinquish his position during two previous corruption trials, but he is planning to step down, at least temporarily, in the face of new federal criminal charges filed against him last week, several people briefed on the matter said on Tuesday.
The leader, Michael J. Forde, is expected to enter a 28-day drug treatment program soon, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss his plans.
Mr. Forde tested positive for cocaine and marijuana after his arrest, Lisa Zornberg, an assistant United States attorney, said at his arraignment last week. At the time, a magistrate judge ordered Mr. Forde and several of his nine co-defendants to undergo drug treatment.
Gary P. Rothman, a lawyer for the union, the New York City District Council of Carpenters and Joiners of America, said Mr. Forde and another defendant, John Greaney, the union’s business manager, would step down for now as trustees of the union’s benefit funds.
Mr. Rothman said the union’s delegates will meet on Wednesday to discuss how to respond to the indictment. The delegates can vote to reassign or fire Mr. Forde and the other two officials, or change or limit their duties.
The 29-count racketeering and bribery indictment against the union officials and contractors says that, together, they stole millions of dollars from the union and its benefit funds. In exchange for bribes, the union officials allowed contractors to pay union members cash wages below union scale with no benefits, hire illegal aliens and nonunion workers and forgo benefit funds contributions, it said. A lawyer for Mr. Forde, Andrew M. Lankler, declined comment.
In an earlier case, Mr. Forde went to trial twice on bribery charges; the first ended in a conviction that was later overturned, and the second in acquittal.
Forde and his administration are masters at using the delegate body to provide legitimacy to their corrupt acts. Don't be fooled, the delegates should vote to fire Forde, Greaney and Hayes. They should be striped of salary, car, phone and charged with defrauding the brotherhood and face trial. Anything less is just a smoke screen orchestrated by District Council lawyer Gary Rothman.
ReplyDeleteIf the delegates do not vote to fire Forde and his cronies it proves that the delegates embrace,support and enable criminals within the UBC. Don't be fooled by Forde temporarily stepping down and entering a 28-day drug treatment.
The whole enchilada has to be dismantled. The lack of member involvement in these matters reflects the intent of the NYDC to attempt the cover-up @ 157 nearly two years ago. Now it is time for that truth to unfold. IT WAS THE CRIMINALS WHO CONCOCTED THAT COVER-UP !!!!
ReplyDeleteThe whole Unity team and anybody else that was down with them should be fired!
ReplyDeleteThey all knew what was going on!
Now Martin is gonna head my Local!He is one in the same!!!!!!
These are the same scumbags that constructed the "bluecard"
Who the hell are our "trustees" to the nydc
Did Forde appoint them??
If so,they need to go too!
THE WHOLE SYSTEM SUCKS.THATS WHY ALL OF THE CITY IS GOING NON UNION LITTLE BY LITTLE.THEY NEED TO MAKE CHANGES AND TREAT MEMBERS BETTER.VERY SAD TO SEE PEOPLE WORKING IN CITY NON UNION.DONT WASTE YOU TIME GOING TO THE APPRENTICE PROGRAM ON 395 HUDSON,THEY TREAT YOU LIKE SHIT,THEN WHEN THERES NO WORK THEY KICK YOU TO THE CURB.TIME TO GO YO LOCAL 3 A REAL UNION WITH REAL MEANING AND MEMBERS WHO STICK IT OUT TOGETHER.
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