WASHINGTON, D.C. -Today the National Legal and Policy Center called upon Rep. Charles Schumer (D-NY-9) to return campaign contributions to the mob-dominated Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA).

LIUNA’s ties to organized crime have become a major issue in the New York Senate race. Rep. Schumer is presently vying for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against Mark Green and Geraldine Ferraro. On Monday, incumbent Senator Al D’Amoto accused Ferraro of associating with LIUNA President Arthur Coia.

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

LIUNA leadership’s links to organized crime were reaffirmed on November 6, 1997 when LIUNA’s own internal investigator, Robert Luskin, reported to the U.S. Justice Department that LIUNA President Arthur A. 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. Schumer has already accepted $5,000 from LIUNA to his House campaign committee for the 1998 elections.

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. Schumer should reject Coia, reject corrupt union bosses and reject dirty money," said Flaherty.

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

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 Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, Laborers’ International Union of North American, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations.

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.