"In order to maintain the highest level of ethics and integrity in government Congressmen Clement and Gordon should return the tainted LIUNA money immediately," demanded NLPC President Peter Flaherty.

LIUNA leadership’s links to organized crime were reaffirmed this month when LIUNA’s own internal investigator, Robert Luskin, reported to the U.S. Justice Department that LIUNA President Arthur Coia knowingly associated with organized crime and permitted organized crime to influence union affairs.

This finding follows Justice’s 1994 draft RICO complaint which stated, "LIUNA has been infiltrated at all levels by corrupt individuals and organized crime figures who have exploited their control and influence over the union for personal gain and to the detriment of the union. LIUNA union officers and employees at all levels, including the general presidency, have been chosen, subject to the approval of, and have been controlled by, various members and associates of organized crime."

According to the Federal Election Commission, Rep. Bob Clement (D-TN-5) has accepted $1000 and Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN-6) received $1000.

Flaherty stated, "Public office is a public trust. Although LIUNA’s contributions were not technically illegal, the slightest appearance of corruption should be avoided."

"Mr. Coia is no friend of the worker or a friend of union democracy. These Members should reject Coia, reject corrupt union bosses and reject dirty money," said Flaherty.

In the wake of the new Luskin Report, NLPC’s Organized Labor Accountability Project issued a "Report on 1997 LIUNA Political Contributions." The Report identifies Members of Congress, of both parties, who have accepted contributions from LIUNA’s political arm, the Laborers’ Political League, during the period of January 1 to September 30, 1997.

"These tainted funds should not be allowed to influence the ‘98 elections," added Flaherty.

This Report is part of NLPC’s Organized Labor Accountability Project. NLPC sent a letter to Attorney General Reno on October 28, 1996 requesting the removal of Mr. Coia and a takeover of LIUNA. Justice responded with a three-page letter on November 8, 1996, which confirmed that Justice still considers LIUNA controlled by organized crime.

NLPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government. NLPC was a plaintiff in the lawsuit which succeeded in opening the records of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Health Care Task Force. NLPC’s Legal Services Accountability Project has called attention to hundreds of abuses in the federal legal services program.

NOTE: For a copy of NLPC’s "Report on 1997 LIUNA Political Contributions" or for
interviews to facilitate your coverage, please call Dan Rene at 703-847-3088.