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Booted disgraced former leaders Mike Bilello and Bill Lebo.

Sightings...sightings...Disgraced scandal scared former District Council leaders MIKE BILELLO & BILL LEBO were spotted at last Wednesdays Delegate Body meeting sitting in the members gallery.

On Monday, April 29, 2013 Bilello, the former carpenter boss, was booted from his post by the court appointed Review Officer (RO) Dennis Walsh for violating several union rules — including directing a schedule pay raise into the Welfare Fund without proper authorization and letting a suspended union member work at the Javits Center and then lie about it.

Bilello & Lebo were elected on December 15, 2011 to head the New York City & Vicinity District Council of Carpenters after vowing several reforms to the union —including saving the out of work list and contract ratification by the membership. The two former leaders reneged on those vows and ironically Bilello was the man who presided over the destruction of the out of work list, by negotiating a contract that includes full mobility and forcing it on the membership, despite the membership rejecting it in March 2012.

Bilello's running mate and former president and assistant Bill Lebo, also got the boot and was forced to resign last September, after receiving a notice of possible veto from the RO, amid allegations of inappropriate behavior and lying about it.

Sources said, Bilello is planning to appeal his veto in an effort to get his job back. The two disgraced former leaders sat quietly as they witnessed a properly run meeting by the new Executive Secretary Treasurer (EST) Pro Tem Stephen McInnis.

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We hear...THAT a Long Island fire door contract for members of Local 2790 has expired recently, which was under the hollow metal door fund.

An informed source said, that members under the contract were under two different heath benefit plans. "Plan B" which is an hourly contribution plan, and "Plan A" , which is a flat monthly contribution plan.

Contractor bosses want to move all workers into "Plan A" to save money, and the worker's want everyone in "Plan B" and they we're willing to strike for it.

Informed sources say, that DC Vice President Mike Cavanaugh, allegedly signed an agreement without delegate body approval, that keeps everyone in their existing health plans, but gives employees (who happen to be in the better "Plan B") the option of going in the lesser "Plan A.

The option involves that, in-exchange for workers joining the cheaper benefit plan, the contractor bosses will pay those employees a $1000 bonus as an incentive to join the "Plan A" benefit plan.
 
"The DC has circumvented the delegates and is letting the boss payoff workers to throw away their future," the informed source said.

The 100-member Delegate Body is expected to meet tomorrow, and upset local 2790 delegates are expected to discuss and debate the seriousness of the situation. Story still developing...stay tuned.

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Contract Update...Informed sources say last night the Executive Committee passed the WC&C proposals for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which includes full mobility. The proposal passed by a 7 to 2 vote, the delegate body is expected to vote on the CBA at tonights delegate body meeting. Meeting starts at 5pm and is open to all members, in the meeting space of the school on the second floor.

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We hear...THAT Human Resources Director of the Benefits Funds, Ralph Chetcuti was suspended today pending an investigation.

Friday we reported that the Board of Trustees terminated Joesph Epstein as Executive Director of the Benefit Funds. Sources say Epstein allegedly misappropriated union funds to support his own personal interests.

The District Council or Benefit Funds office did not respond to a request for comment or issue any official statement

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We hear...THAT on Friday May 4th, the Manufacturing Woodworking Association (MWA) won in arbitration a lawsuit it brought against the District Council, having to do with a sweetheart deal made in 2007 by Dennis Sheils, (former disgraced Vice President of the corrupt Forde administration) with Gilbert Displays, an out-of-Association contractor.

According to the Most Favored Nations clause of the MWA Agreement, the arbitrator found that the District Council is liable for the difference MWA shops paid to their employees going back to 2007, and now all MWA members will be given the same deal, which amounts to a $10 pay cut, and diminished benefit package.

Executive Secretary-Treasurer Mike Bilello did not report on the loss at Wednesday's Delegate meeting until a Local 2790 delegate brought the subject up towards the end of the meeting. When questioned Bilello estimated the liability to be at $10 million dollars. When asked if the rank and file will be informed about the loss on the District Councils website, Bilello replied "No, there's nothing to report."

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We hear...THAT a Skanska shop steward who has connections to a candidate on the Carpenters United NYC Slate had the employer include their campaign material in all employees pay checks.

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We hear...THAT things are clearly getting desperate for the Carpenters Alliance Slate. Members are reporting that National Acoustics is supporting the slate by distributing their campaign material in employee pay checks and Martin Costello (slate member) is cold calling members urging them to vote for the Carpenters Alliance Slate.

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We hear...THAT District Council representative Thomas McKeon has formed a slate and will be running for Executive Secretary Treasurer in the upcoming council election. McKeon a former officer of dissolved local 608 will be running with local 45 Recording Secretary/Representative Paul Tyzner for President and local 740 Financial Secretary/Representative Mike Cavanough for Vice President.

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Brugeras third from left.

And Another Carpenter Union Leader Bites The Dust

We hear...THAT council organizer/Local 926 Financial Secretary, Ray Brugeras, has also suddenly resigned last week.

Sources say Brugueras is the third person to resign because he refused to sign an affidavit from the Review Officer, Dennis Walsh, stating he's not connected to or has any knowledge of organized crime influence over the district council. Richard Tuccillo and Paul Pietropaolo also resigned and did not sign the affidavit. 

Brugeras was Director Eddie McWilliams, deputy in Organizing and hired last year at the request of Joe Olivieri, an informed source said.

In November a Manhattan federal jury found Olivieri (56), ex-executive director of the Association of Wall, Ceiling & Carpentry Industries guilty of perjury over a sworn deposition he gave three years ago in a civil RICO case.

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Another Carpenter Union Leader Bites The Dust...

We hear...THAT Paul Pietropaolo, who reportedly made $152,493 last year as a district council business agent has suddenly resigned. Pietropaolo a former collection agent, was appointed business agent to Local 45 in May by UBC Supervisor Frank Spencer.

Sources say Spencer made the appointment as a favor to Pete Thomassen, the former president of the scandal-scarred carpenters union, who resigned amid revelations of massive spending on steak dinners, junkets and parties. Insiders say Pietropaolo, who join the union 10 years ago, never worked in the field or with tools. He was hired as a security guard from Bo Dietl Associates as a favor, then moved up to collection agent and business agent.

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Carpenter Union Leader Bites The Dust

We hear...THAT District Council employee Richard Tuccillo, suddenly resigned on Tuesday, March 8th, according to informed sources. Tuccillo of Local 157, is a 25-year member with more than 12 years as a council representative covering trade show work, grievance processing, and other duties. Tuccillo was also an elected delegate to the council. Under the corrupt Mike Forde administration, Tuccillo saw his salary increase dramatically from $94,418 in 2000 to over $180,477 in 2010. He could not be reached for comment.

                         Photo from Local Connection 157

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Forde

Update: On Friday November 19, ex-Carpenters union boss Michael Forde was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to corruption. Forde was to surrender on January 7, however the court made an error in the judgment, and as a result, the Bureau of Prisons was not directed to designate a facility. That error was discovered and fixed this week and Judge Marrero extended Forde's surrender date by 30 days. BOP will designate a facility soon and Fordes surrender date is February 7.

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WORD is...Dennis Sheil, the former "Unity Team" partner has quit the UBC. Sources say the former vice president of the New York City District Council of Carpenters and Local 1536 member is attempting to avoid being charged internally by our new Inspector General, Scott Danielson. Danielson has now brought internal union disciplinary charges against ALL defendants in the August 2009 indictment. Sheil's lawyer has advised him if you do not belong to the union you cannot be charged by the union.

Page Six reported on November 20, 2009 that the federal government wanted to ask the former veep a few questions, Sheil however was not in the talking mood, he advised his lawyers that he would have to plead the fifth if questioned. Sheil retired on December 31 2009.

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We hear...THAT Local 157 business representative and executive delegate, Danny Demorato, was suspended on Tuesday. Demorato a union rep for almost twenty years was Lawrence D’Errico's right-hand man in running the affairs of Local 157. 

D’Errico the former recording secretary/business rep, was elected president of Local 157 in September 2008 following the "emergency supervision," and picked Demorato as his executive delegate to the District Council.

UBC Supervisor Frank Spencer recently appointed D'Errico, Acting Director of Operations, to replace Maurice Leary, who suddenly retired immediately after Michael Forde copped a plea to corruption charges and admitted selling out his membership by taking bribes from contractors, stealing union money - and then lying about it.

D'Errico's appointment to the position of acting director is under "review" by RO, Dennis Walsh.

The District Council didn't return a call seeking comment.

Sources said Demorato's suspension has to do with the November 21, 2007 "emergency supervision" of Local 157, where Independent Investigator, Callahan, found telephone, timesheet, and other records showing union representative's had not completed their activity sheets as required; had not conducted regular jobsite visits; and were not even at work when they reported themselves as working a regular day.

Local 157 Business Manager/President Bill Hanley and Representative/Financial Secretary Fred Kennedy, were forced to resign and Representative/Vice President George Dilacio was fired.

Demorato was suspended for two-weeks by Mike Forde and reassigned to Local 608 in connection with his involvement in the corruption scandal.

Walsh is conducting multiple investigations of corrupt activity ... which he said "will likely lead to internal union charges and possible criminal referrals."

In recent weeks, numerous union bigs have either retired, resigned, been suspended or fired.

"I don't know if this union is going to survive, we are literally at the Gates of Stalingrad" a source said.

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We hear...THAT Ed Maudsley was forced to resigned because he was caught manipulating the out-of-work-list. Tom Costello ratted him out. Costollo and Maudsley have a “long standing feud” a close source said. On July 29, Page Six reported that Ed Maudsley resigned.

Also despite Costello’s claim of “having nothing to do with the alleged file cabinet break in” at the Bronx office of Local 608, with Martin Devereaux and Maurice McGrath, sources insist that Costello was involved. Costello is said to be "cooperating" with Review Officer, Dennis Walsh and is expected to retire in August.

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We hear...THAT immediately after Michael Forde copped a plea to corruption charges and admitted selling out his membership by taking bribes from contractors, stealing union money - and then lying about it, union representative Maurie Leary and Maurice McGrath retired, Ed Maudsley resigned, Ron Rawald was suspended without pay and Martin Devereaux, who Spencer appointed business manager to replace John Greaney was terminated.

On July 19, Page Six reported that Devereaux, McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to "shred union documents."

Sources are also saying supervisor Frank Spencer appointed Local 157 business manager/regional manager Lawrence D'Errico, Acting Director of Operations, to replace Leary.

D'Errico is the latest individual appointed by Spencer who finds himself at the center of corruption.

Spencer appointed Pete Thomassen assistant supervisor who resigned amid revelations of massive spending on lobster dinners, junkets and parties.

Spencer also appointed D'Errico business manager and "new leader" of Local 157 following the 2007 “emergency supervision, which many members believe was politically motivated; and Pete Thomassen, in a rare moment of candor, exposed.

D'Errico a Benefit Fund Trustee appointed by Forde, among other things, has never been held accountable for his role in the cover-up and daily corruption detailed in the November 13, 2007 report by Independent Investigator, William Callahan, or for failing to perform his fiduciary responsibilities as a trustee following the corruption detailed in the Forde indictment and UBC Hearings.

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Sightings…Local 608 business manager Martin Devereaux, was spotted leaving the District Council yesterday with his lawyer a source said.

On July 19, Page Six reported that "immediately after former president and business manager of Local 608, John Greaney, plead guilty, business representatives Martin Devereaux, Maurice McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to shred union documents.

The source also said the three business representatives were suspended.

Inquires to the District Council and Review Officer, Dennis Walsh regarding the alleged incident and suspension were met with "no comment."

Update: Sources are now saying Tom Costello, was not suspended, he was spotted taking time sheets this morning and said "he had nothing to do with Martin Devereaux and Maurice McGrath."

Local 2287 Business Representatives Fired

Jeffrey Passante, the former president and business representative of Local 2287 was fired yesterday, and former executive delegate and business manager Michael Zemski, was fired today.

On April 25, Page Six reported that "Passante and Zemski were suspended without pay on April 15, for allegedly stealing petty cash and using the locals credit card for personal use."

District Council Supervisor Frank Spencer, reported in May that Passante has resigned his position as president of local 2287.

The "investigation into misuse of local funds by business representatives, Michael Zemski and Jeff Passante is ongoing" Spencer said.

Spencer appointed business representative, John McGraft to assist with the day to day operation of local 2287.

Sources say union charges will most likely be filed against Passante which may result in expulsion.

Review Officer, Dennis Walsh, "barred" Passante from ever holding elected office or employment at the council, Zemski will remain a member in good standing the source said.

Trustees for the local discovered the misuse of local funds and reported it to the council.

News of the abrupt firings today came as Local 2287 is holding executive board elections.

The District Council had "no comment."

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We hear...THAT Immediately after former president and business manager of Local 608, John Greaney, plead guilty, business representatives Martin Devereaux, Maurice McGrath and Tom Costello arranged to meet at the Bronx office of Local 608, allegedly, to shred union documents.

Sources say the three representatives allegedly tried to get into a cabinet which was ordered locked by Local 608 President Joseph Firth.

The representatives demanded office assistant Laurie to open the locked cabinet, she refused as per her instructions by Firth.

Costello then allegedly threatened her; she called Firth, who called Supervisor Frank Spencer, who called Review Officer, Dennis Walsh.

Walsh’s office is in White Plains, he arrived at the Bronx office before the three men left. When asked by Walsh why they wanted access to the locked file cabinet, all three men gave conflicting answers. Sources said the three business representatives were suspended.

District Council representatives were instructed to reply "no comment" to any inquires regarding this incident.

Greaney, 50, is the seventh and highest-ranking union official to cut a deal with the feds since a raft of indictments in August.

Sources say that in exchange for cooperating with the Government, Greaney will do little jail time; he will then be enrolled in the U.S. Marshals Witness Security Program, where he will be relocated and given a new identity.

Greaney would face 155 years in prison on charges, but prosecutors will ask for leniency if he fully cooperates - and helps them nail Forde and Hayes.

Greaney admitted that while he was President of Local 608, he received cash bribes from multiple contractors and shared the payments with other union officers, including his co-defendants Michael Forde,  the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council and chairman of the benefit funds, and Brian Hayes, a former business agent and officer of Local 608. He also admitted to helping contractors cheat the union benefit funds and to depriving union members of his honest services.

Under the terms of his plea agreement with the Government, Greaney, will surrender to the U.S. Marshals on or before August 20, 2010, to begin serving jail time. Greaney is scheduled to be sentenced on December 17, 2010.