All members should read the below Trial Procedures, which must be posted on the District Council website with this message.
All local union executive committees must take note of their obligation to democratically select two trial committee members.
Please make note of the following schedule and deadlines:
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Message from the Review Officer Regarding New District Council Trial Procedures
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Walter Mack To Head New Trial Committee
BREAKING NEWS...Sources say there will be an announcement tomorrow regarding a new trial committee, with new procedures which will have Walter Mack (l) as its chairman and former NJ chief justice James Zazalli (r) as vice chairman.
Page Six
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.
Ex-Leader of Carpenters Union Pleads Guilty to Racketeering
After years of fighting criminal charges, the former head of the union that represents carpenters in New York City pleaded guilty on Wednesday to taking part in a racketeering scheme stretching back over a decade, the authorities said.
The former leader, Michael J. Forde, was accused along with nine other union officials and contractors of stealing millions of dollars from the union and its benefit funds.
The men were named last year in a 29-count indictment that charged that in exchange for bribes, Mr. Forde and the others allowed contractors to pay union members cash wages below union scale with no benefits, to hire illegal and nonunion workers, and to skip benefit contributions.
Mr. Forde had been tried twice before on state bribery charges dating to 2000. His first trial resulted in a conviction that was later overturned. His second trial ended in an acquittal.
But on Wednesday, Mr. Forde became the eighth person in the latest case to plead guilty.
Federal officials announced in New York that Mr. Forde had pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering and another count of racketeering conspiracy, charges that each carry a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Mr. Forde is scheduled to be sentenced in November.
His lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment on Wednesday night.
A version of this article appeared in print on July 29, 2010, on page A21 of the New York edition
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Forde, Plea Agreement
Michael Forde, the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, pleaded guilty today in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, to participating in a 15-year racketeering scheme.
FORDE is the eighth defendant in the case to plead guilty.
FORDE admitted that from approximately 1994 through 2004, he received cash bribes from multiple contractors (including On Par Contracting, Turbo Construction, Pyramid Associates Construction, New York City Acoustics, and KAFCI) in return for allowing these contractors to violate the terms of their collective bargaining agreements with the District Council.
Among other things, FORDE admitted that he let these contractors use undocumented workers and avoid making required payments to the District Council benefit funds of which he was the Chairman.
FORDE also admitted to committing perjury in a January 2009 deposition he gave in a civil action brought by the District Council against one of the contractors from whom his co-conspirators had accepted bribes. FORDE further admitted to obstructing efforts to investigate his conduct.
FORDE pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of racketeering, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
FORDE is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge VICTOR MARRERO on November 19, 2010 at 3:30 p.m.
Trial as to the remaining defendants, BRIAN HAYES and JOSEPH OLIVIERI, is scheduled to begin on September 7, 2010, before Judge MARRERO. The charges contained in the Indictment against these defendants are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
FORDE'S guilty pleas to racketeering and conspiracy came little more than a week after John Greaney, who succeeded Forde as president of Local 608, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against him.
Unlike John Greaney, Forde did not enter a "cooperation agreement" with the Government.
Below is the plea agreement Michael Forde signed on July 28.
Press Release
Department of Justice Press Release
Former Carpenters Union Leader Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Over a Decade of Racketeering
Former Carpenters Union Leader Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court to Over a Decade of Racketeering
PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, GEORGE VENIZELOS, the Acting Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), and MARJORIE FRANZMAN, the Special Agent-in-Charge for the New York Region of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Inspector General ("DOL-OIG"), announced today that MICHAEL FORDE, the former Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the District Council of New York City and Vicinity (the "District Council") of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners (the "Carpenters Union") and Chairman of the District Council benefit funds, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to participating in a 15-year racketeering scheme.
According to the Indictment to which FORDE pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, other documents previously filed in this case, and statements made in court today:
According to the Indictment to which FORDE pleaded guilty before United States Magistrate Judge ANDREW J. PECK, other documents previously filed in this case, and statements made in court today:
Ex-union big Michael Forde pleads guilty to racketeering charges
By BRUCE GOLDING
Ex-carpenters union bigshot Michael Forde measured twice and cut himself a plea deal today.
The crooked labor leader -- who got a hug from Mayor Bloomberg after endorsing his re-election last year -- agreed to serve at least nine years behind bars for a racketeering scheme that stretches back to 1994.
The former head of the powerful carpenters District Council admitted selling out his membership by pocketing bribes to let contractors hire illegal aliens off the books.
Reading from a written statement in Manhattan federal court, Forde further admitted lying under oath during a 2009 deposition at which he denied knowledge of the shady scheme.
He also told the judge he was "currently in the process of recovery from drug and alcohol abuse" after testing positive for cocaine and marijuana when he was busted last August.
Forde's guilty pleas to racketeering and conspiracy came little more than a week after John Greaney, who succeeded Forde as president of Local 608, agreed to cooperate with prosecutors against his former mentor.
Forde -- who earlier beat bribery charges in state court -- declined to comment as he left the courthouse.
He's the eighth of 10 defendants in the case to cop a plea, leaving just former union official Brian Hayes and contractors' rep Joseph Olivieri -- who allegedly has longstanding ties to the Genovese crime family -- set for trial in September.
Under terms of his non-binding deal with prosecutors, Forde faces a maximum 11-plus years in the slammer. He also agreed to forfeit $100,000 in ill-gotten gains from his crimes.
Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara called Forde's conviction a "milestone" in rooting out corruption at the carpenters union, which he said was now pointed "toward a new era in its history."
Ex-carpenters union boss Michael Forde pleads guilty to racketeering charges; faces 10 years
Updated: Thursday, July 29th 2010
Corrupt Carpenter's union bigwig Michael Forde leaves Manhattan Federal Court after making a plea.
Nailed!
The drinking-and-drugging ex-boss of the city's carpenters union copped a plea to corruption charges Wednesday and is looking at nine years in federal lockup.
Michael Forde, 56, admitted selling out his membership by taking bribes from contractors, stealing union money - and then lying about it.
He cut a deal with prosecutors after a parade of lower-level union officials sold him out, including his former right-hand man.
"I along with other union officials accepted bribes including cash payments from contractors," Forde said in a loud, clear voice before a Manhattan federal magistrate.
"I made efforts to obstruct investigation into my conduct."
Forde was one of the city's most politically powerful labor leaders - and mugged for pictures with Mayor Bloomberg right before he was indicted.
Prosecutors said he used his position with the District Council of Carpenters to line his pockets at the expense of his 25,000 members.
He took thousands from contractors to look the other way when they hired illegal aliens, paid non-union wages and withheld payment to union benefit funds.
Forde pleaded guilty to bribery, racketeering and perjury - charges that carry up to 20 years.
He'll likely get 9-to-11-1/4 years as part of his cooperation agreement with the U.S. attorney's office, and has to pay back $100,000.
"Forde has admitted his guilt and it's about time," said dissident carpenter and blogger John Musumeci.
"But they still need to clean house in the District Council. Too many of Forde's cronies are still working there."
Forde was among 10 union heavies indicted a year ago.
Seven have already pleaded guilty, including reputed Luchese crime family associate Finbar O'Neill.
Reputed Genovese soldier Joseph Olivieri is scheduled for trial.
Feds who raided the District Council's headquarters found pills and a stun gun. Seven of the suspects tested positive for drugs.
Forde had pot and cocaine in his system and said in court that he's recovering from a booze and drug problem.
He was convicted of bribery in 2004, but the state court verdict was tossed out and he was acquitted at a 2008 mistrial.
Since he was busted last year, there's been a massive shakeup at the union.
His second-in-command resigned amid revelations of reckless spending of dues on steak dinners, junkets and parties.
More criminal charges could be coming, said Dennis Walsh, a mob-fighting ex-prosecutor appointed as a review officer last month.
"The union still has significant problems and, above all, needs to have its infrastructure, policies and procedures reconfigured," Walsh said.
BY Brain Kates and Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Irish contractor key figure in Mafia/union bust
By JAMES O'SHEA, IrishCentral.com
The most watched man in New York union circles these days is surely Co. Meath-born contractor Jim “Metal” Murray, who is the key witness in the Local 608 Union corruption scandal.
Murray recently returned from Ireland after the Feds put the heat on him to testify against the union bigs in a case that is straight out of 'The Sopranos.'
Court documents show a long time pattern of huge bribes, threats by Italians and Irish, and rigged job bids facilitated by 608, and Murray knows where all the bodies are.
He is all over the indictment as contractor No. 1, and holds the fate of many of those being pursued in his hands.
Crooked 608 official strikes plea bargain
John Greaney, former president of the Local 608 (part of the Carpenters Union), has pleaded guilty to thirteen felony charges including corruption, racketeering, embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, whilst serving in office.The Carpenters Union is a national labor union that represents skilled workers. In New York City, approximately 20,000 members of the union are divided into eleven locals, overseen by the District Council. Greaney was the president and business manager of Local 608, the largest local in the District Council, with approximately 7,400 members, many of whom are Irish or Irish American. Before his arrest in August of last year Greaney, whose mother came to the US from Swinford, Co. Mayo, was a prominent member of the Irish American community in New York.
KC worries about St. Louis union dispute
By RANDOLPH HEASTER
The Kansas City Star
With the St. Louis carpenters union’s expansion into Kansas City, local labor leaders will be sure to monitor the effect on the area’s union electrical work.
That’s because a battle over jurisdiction and work issues has erupted between the Carpenters’ District Council of St. Louis and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1 in St. Louis, the AFL-CIO’s longtime electricians union.
Earlier this year, electricians union officials in Kansas City voiced concerns over the St. Louis carpenters union forming its own electricians union in direct competition with IBEW Local 1. Those worries probably heightened when the Carpenters’ District Council of Kansas City was dissolved last week.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Elizabeth carpenters offer free services to fix financially-strapped church
But when the cold hits, services have to be held in a small parish hall because the financially-strapped church cannot afford to dole out $900 each week to heat the massive, 55-foot-high ceiling sanctuary.
Last year, the church was in such dire straits, it was forced to sell three of its 100-year-old stained-glass windows for $500,000. Two more are currently for sale.
No funds were available to bring the building up to fire code — something that Rev. Joseph Parrishhad been trying for years to accomplish.
"An inspector looked at it and told us all the things we had to do," Parrish said. "It could be condemned. We would not have a certificate of occupancy."
An open staircase in the parish hall had to be enclosed and the walls sheetrocked, Parrish said. In addition, five doors needed to be replaced with fire doors.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Carpenters District Council of KC dissolves
By RANDOLPH HEASTER The Kansas City Star
The Carpenters District Council of Kansas City, a longtime fixture in local political matters and union issues, has dissolved, leaving most of its 14,000 members under the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Carpenters union.
The action occurred suddenly Tuesday under orders of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters in Washington, D.C., which oversees the carpenter district councils around the country.
The only reasons provided for dissolving the Kansas City district were to consolidate resources and provide more mobility for members and contractors to work in other parts of Missouri and Illinois.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Page Six
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."
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
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."
Top Irish Union Official Turns Fed Informer
By APRIL DREW, Irish Voice Reporter
Former president of the Carpenters Local 608 Union in New York John Greaney pleaded guilty on Friday, July 16 to a slew of charges related to corruption, racketeering, embezzlement, bribery and perjury in Manhattan federal court before the United States Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman.
An indictment charged Greaney and other officials within the District Council of New York City and Vicinity of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners with engaging in a 15-year labor racketeering scheme involving the receipt of illegal payments from multiple contractors.
The Carpenters Union is a national labor union that represents skilled workers at construction sites. In New York City, approximately 20,000 members of the union are divided into 11 locals, overseen by the District Council. Thousands of Irish and Irish Americans are part of this union.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
EXCLUSIVE: Greaney, Plea Agreement
On Friday, July 16, John Greaney, the former president and business manager of Local 608 of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Henry B. Pitman to all 13 counts against him.
Greaney is the seventh defendant in the case to plead guilty, and the highest-ranking Carpenters Union official to do so.
Greaney pleaded guilty to racketeering, embezzlement, taking bribes and perjury. He admitted he manipulated union work lists and allowing union members, including illegal immigrants, to work off the books. He also admitted to obstructing a court-ordered investigation of corruption at the District Council and he implicated other union members, including the former head of the union, Michael Forde and former business agent Brian Hayes.
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.
Below is the plea agreement John Greany signed on July 12, which he agrees to among other things, disclose all informational with respect to the activities of himself and others and cooperate fully with the Government and truthfully testify at any trial.
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