Former UAW President Gary Jones charged in embezzlement scheme

[MichMan]

Source: Detroit News

Federal prosecutors Thursday charged former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones with embezzling more than $1 million, according to a criminal filing that indicates he will plead guilty and cooperate with an investigation that could lead to the government seizing control of one of the nation's most powerful unions.

Jones is the highest-ranking UAW official charged during a years-long crackdown on corruption within the U.S. auto industry that has produced 13 convictions and revealed labor leaders and auto executives broke federal labor laws, stole union funds and received bribes. The investigation has pushed the UAW to the brink of a federal takeover being considered by prosecutors to root out pervasive corruption.

Jones, 63, was charged in a criminal information, which indicates a guilty plea is imminent, following months of increasing pressure from investigators. The investigators are armed with bank records and cooperation from several Jones aides who admitted helping embezzle money from rank-and-file workers that was spent on personal luxuries, including private villas, lavish travel, food, liquor and golf.

“Jones is a guy who contributed to taking down the union and now he may cooperate in a process that saves the union from its leadership,” said Erik Gordon, a University of Michigan business professor.

Read more: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2020/03/05/former-uaw-president-gary-jones-charged-embezzlement-scheme/4940018002/

[Submariner]

1. This gives more fodder to the right wing reptilians to kill unions and hurt labor

Jones should get life without parole so as to shock the leadership members of all unions that this is what happens when you rob your membership.

[MichMan]

3. Since indications are that he is taking a plea, I doubt he is getting a life sentence

He would be the tenth member to be convicted so far. Every single one has cooperated with the prosecutors. I think his predecessor, Dennis Williams will be next to be charged

[Submariner]

4. I understand he'll get off with a hand slap

But as a Teamster, I saw my Dad and his co-workers get screwed by the Jimmy Hoffa crowd of crooks decades ago. Makes me wonder, are they so dumb that they don't think they will be caught and have to pay a price, like so many crooked union officials before them?

Or, maybe they just don't care and figure they will bullshit their way into a light jail sentence, so it's worth the try to steal.

[LanternWaste]

2. Small potatoes. These guys should take a clue from private investment and equity firms.

Now that's where the real money is... Maddoff, Abramoff, Martin Frankel, Skilling, etc.

[SunSeeker]

5. Duplicate.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142441565