Organized Labor’s Lawbreakers

At least 143 union leaders have admitted to crimes since 2016

WSJ editorial. Excerpts:

"Organized labor has a long history of corruption, but federal records show it’s not improving. In the past two years a total of 143 labor leaders and staffers have pleaded guilty or been convicted of federal crimes, according to the Labor Department’s recently updated disclosures on criminal enforcement actions.

The federal government’s felonious list includes the presidents of more than 30 union locals, as well as more than 60 officials who held a treasurer or secretary-treasurer post. The crimes overwhelmingly involve top brass stealing from the union, and the incidents range from pilfered thousands to multi-million-dollar embezzlements. Union members are the victims.

For instance, Tamika Bullock was a secretary-treasurer for the boilermakers union in Chesapeake, Virginia, who last November pleaded guilty to embezzlement. She had stolen more than $20,000 from an account that was supposed to aid workers coping with a serious illness or economic crisis. She used some of that money to go on a cruise.

Raymond Ventrone of the boilermakers Pittsburgh local embezzled at least $1.5 million from the union. Ventrone dropped $527,000 on Louis Vuitton purses and $38,000 on drums, and a U.S. Attorney recounted how the former business manager’s house was “literally lined with Best Buy purchases.”"

"One issue is probably the lack of adequate financial controls, especially given how much money unions get in member dues. The cash is handled by union locals, which means many opportunities for corruption."

"The Labor Department conducts organized-labor audits, and in 2016 nearly one in five led to a criminal case."