WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The TeamstersХ Internal Review Board is having a hearing today on whether or not to expel former President Ron Carey from the Union.

New telephone records reportedly show that Carey and his former campaign manager Jere Nash dispute earlier claims that the two had little contact with one another. The telephone records are among 21 new exhibits that will be introduced today. Further documents include Carey campaign financial statements and affidavits from other union leaders.

NLPC President Peter Flaherty said, "The threshold for expelling Carey has been met. Three people connected to Mr. CareyХs campaign have already pled guilty to charges of conspiring to illegally divert official union funds into Mr. CareyХs campaign."

"The problem is that a pattern of coercion and fraud aimed at keeping Mr. Carey union President at all costs was injected into the last union election. The remedy that should be taken is to expel Ron Carey in order to protect the integrity of the next union election and the union as a whole." added Flaherty.

The potential expulsion of Ron Carey is likely to adversely affect the entire AFL-CIO leadership. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka has already been accused of helping Carey campaign officials launder Teamsters general treasury funds into CareyХs campaign. When questioned by investigators on his involvement in the Carey scandal Trumka invoked the Fifth Amendment.

Flaherty stated, "Trumka and his left-wing allies know that losing a strong ally like Carey would threaten their grip over the 13-million member AFL-CIO and the left wingХs new control over the American labor movement."

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 ClintonХs Health Care Task Force. NLPCХs Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, LaborersХ International Union of North American, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations. # # # NOTE: For interviews to facilitate your coverage, call Dan Rene at 703-847-3088.