On May 27, I wrote a article titled, "Trial Committee Says - Let Them Walk," reporting that Local 2287 executive delegate-business representative, Michael Zemski and president-business representative, Jeffrey Passante, sat in front of the District Council trial committee and had not been charged with any misconduct or wrong doing.
In the article it was stated that insiders said the “committee decided not charge the two alleged embezzlers and let them walk free.”
It has now come to my attention and I have come to learn that this story is totally inaccurate.
There was no hearing scheduled at the District Council.
No charges have even been filed at the District Council.
Jeff Passante, has resigned as president.
The investigation into misuse of local funds by officers of Local 2287 is ongoing.
I was asked to retract the story and while an apology was not requested, I wanted to take a moment to state that I apologize to Michael Zemski and Jeff Passante for the story and I wanted to provide my deepest apologies for the inaccurate reporting.
I also want to apologies to the brothers and sisters who read this blog. I know you count on me to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information.
I started this blog almost three years ago, to keep our union family informed and to build a place where we can communicate and connect with each other.
I have tried my hardest to verify my facts and provide you with accurate information, unfortunately I got it wrong and was misinformed.
The story has been fully removed.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Retraction
13 comments:
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and this surprises you?? Forde and Thomassen filled the council with appointed BA's and Organizers. They also appointed the people to the trial committe. The trail committee of a Council employee (includes BA's and Organizers) should be from outside the District COuncil.
ReplyDeleteThis is totally untrue. They were not at the council yesterday. They havn't even been scheduled for first readings yet. Get your facts strait before you post this crap. From what I understand Passante is the only one who missused the credit card Zemski is in trouble for not catching him. Passante spent about $10,000 on believe it or not coffee and cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteif this is true??? how is this even possibble!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou need to get your facts straight! This is not true. Why print nonsense that is easy to verify as false? I know from board members Mike Zemski never spent any money on himself as Jeff did. Delegate has it almost right in that Passante used the card hundreds of time at delis , gas stations (where he bought cigarettes, coffee and other personal stuff) over 8 or 9 years. He has paid 15000 to date and that number will be higher. He started to pay when the current trustee started sniffing around, a small amount, and after being caught he suddenly paid alot more. And no they were not at the council yesterday.
ReplyDeleteBRING BACK WALTER MACK. ALL THESE OTHER INVESTIGATORS SUCK. WALTER MACK HAS THE WILL TO DO WHAT MUST BE DONE. ALL OTHERS HAVE FAILED. THIS WALSH CHARACTER WORKED HERE ALREADY GOT NOTHING DONE. WALTER MACK DID SO MUCH FORDE AND THE COUNCIL FIRED HIM FOR DIGGING TO DEEP FOR THE MEMBERSHIP (US).
ReplyDeleteWhy apologize to Passante? This would have been like Christmas for him. He was probably hoping you had it right that thief! He should have been arrested already, but DOL and US Attorney never seem to do their job when it comes to our council. And again it was a member who brought the criminality on Passntes part to light, and not the DC's accountant or the DOL. And now word whatsoever from Torrance and Zornberg! What a disgrace our government is!
ReplyDeleteyor a waste.keep posting bullshit
ReplyDeleteyour a waste.this site is really making things better.
ReplyDeleteI think this site serves a real purpose, and I love John being adult enough to admit making a mistake. Thats what makes this site work, honesty. We are allowed to disagree with no censorship. Keep up the positive work John.
ReplyDeleteJeff Passante, has resigned as president WHY?
ReplyDeletePassante spent a crapload of money on himself on his 2287 credit card and paid the bills with members money since around 2003. He only recently (March) made a couple of payments himself AFTER being caught by one of the trustees. Does that answer why he resigned? He hid the credit card bills with electronic payments, when he bothered to pay, so there was no trail unless you could find the hidden bills. Which one hardworking trustee did after having unanswered questions for awhile.
ReplyDeletePassante was elected to represent Local 2287 as a convention delegate before his alleged embezzlement was discovered. Doesn't it suck that Local 2287 has to pay to send him to the Carpenter's General Convention in Las Vegas?
ReplyDeleteYes it sure does. And Ballantyne at the DC won't allow charges to be brought against him until the investigation is over. Any suggestions?
ReplyDelete