FBI Arrests NYC Carpenters Union Boss

FBI Arrests City Carpenters Union Boss
The FBI has arrested the leader of a powerful labor union that recently endorsed Mayor Michael Bloomberg for re-election. Michael Forde is charged with taking bribes from contractors who were scheming to cut labor costs. Nine other men were also named in the federal indictment. Forde serves as the executive secretary-treasurer of the New York City District Council of Carpenters and Joiners, which endorsed the Bloomberg campaign back in June. The mayor says Forde's arrest does not taint the endorsement.

In addition to Mr. Forde and Mr. Oliveri, also charged were: John Greaney, the Business Manager and President of Local 608, the largest local in the district council, and a benefits funds trustee; Brian Hayes, a business agent and officer of Local 608; union shop stewards Michael Brennan, Brian Carson, Joseph Ruocco, John Stamberger, and Michael Vivenzio. Rather than doing what they were elected to do — safeguarding wages and benefits for union members — they took cash and other bribes to turn a blind eye on contractors schemes to cheat the rank-and-file, Joseph M. Demarest Jr., the head of the New York F.B.I. office, said in the news release.

The conduct charged in the indictment seems to give credence to criticism expressed by federal prosecutors in recent yeas about the effectiveness of the current court-appointed corruption monitor, known as the independent investigator, who is paid by the union.

Indeed, the Manhattan United States Attorneys office sought to oust the monitor, William Callaghan, in 2007, saying he investigated fewer corruption cases than his predecessor and calling his work superficial and incomplete. But the federal judge overseeing the consent decree, Charles Haight, ordered him kept him in place.


Also charged was a contractor, Finbar ONeill, who is accused of helping to deliver illegal cash payments to Mr. Forde.

Mr. Forde, Mr. Greaney, Mr. Hayes and Mr. Brennan were all charged with racketeering and racketeering conspiracy and other crimes. Mr. ONeill was charged with racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud and other charges.

Lawyers for the men could not immediately be reached for comment.

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News & Politics

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• Joiners

[limeyny]

@sbkarmen yeah, you know what sucks, being able to put food on my table, and get to work in my new car, and have a pension, and be able to heat my home, and pay my bills.................meanwhil­e over in your neck of the woods, i hope your marriage to your Sister/mom works out for you !!

[ACMization]

Hang that Mother Fucker. He's taking bribes from non- union contractors putting the guys who pay his salary out of work. Then when thats not enough they steal the money out of the Union Worker Benefit Funds. He needs to swim with the sharks. Scumbag.

[limeyny]

@sbkarmen difference of opinions yes, ive never been blackmaled or threatened by the unions or the members that i employ, your just putting that shit out there to give the horseshit you keep writing some creedence.......as for the BITCH thing, go fuck your mother asshole !!!

[sbkarmen]

@limeyny that's great but I have highly skilled people working for me happily, that not only require a skill but about 100k in tools?? I treat them fairly and provide them with great wages and most importantly keep my prices down so my customers and community pay less for services! No blackmale, no Unions getting involved, and no excessive BS! We obviously have different opinions and leave it at that. But you're a bitch for calling me out the first place! have fun in the snow!

[limeyny]

@sbkarmen I also own a business you fucking mongoloid, and its a union contracting company, your not the only one with a fucking clue, Know who your talking to yourself !!!

But i give a shit about my employees, its not all about bottom line in my pocket, its more of peice of mind with skilled labor, a fully trained and responsible workforce and knowing i dont have to babysit my crews..........Maybee you hav'nt had quite the experience ive had, which would explain why we differ !!

[sbkarmen]

@limeyny Seriously dude I pay more in taxes every month than you have all year! I own my business and employ 6 people, and pay all taxes you couldn't dream of! Before you talk shit to someone online know who you're talking too! Unions are the reason jobs have left overseas and caused inflation! who cares what you paid in taxes if you're costing your employer tons of money causing him to raise prices! ! teamster rhymes with gangster buddy!

[limeyny]

@sbkarmen dont forget i also pay almost half of what i make in taxes, supporting people such as yourself or people you know, we dont define how much the government takes from everyone else, or how much they spend, which has skyrocketed over the last 9 years, but without us kicking into the funds that everyone else dips their dirty little fingers in, this country would have already sunk, i want you to make what i make, but i also want you to pay what i pay, then judge me asshole !!

[Naturalkindaguy]

@sbkarmen; unionized workforce is less than 10 percent. When we are zero, who are you gonna blame then, u stupid brain dead dumbfuck

[sbkarmen]

@limeyny I'm an ignorant cunt! lol at least I don't have to bully anyone for an income. If Union employees are such hot shit and think they deserve the greatest pay and benefits so great that all our jobs are leaving this country, why don't you guys just quit and get a better paying job rather than bullying society, because ultimately UNIONS are the cause of inflation, jobs leaving this country and those idiot democrats/communists in power! Thanks for fucking America up.

[sbkarmen]

@limeyny fuck you and your dump NY neighborhood! hahahaha It must suck to where you have to black male your employer and society to earn a wage

[limeyny]

@sbkarmen You should think before you talk, Forde was a peice of shit and so were the other cronies that got took down with him. But you just put a post up to start shit, nothing of any consequence to anyone but yourself. Come to Hollis, NY and run your mouth on the corner of 183rd and Liberty.......................

Your a peice of shit................Oh, and i guarantee you this, i will out work you and your entire fucking family on any given day............YOU IGNORANT CUNT !!