National Legal and Policy Center
1309 Vincent Place, Suite 1000
McLean, Virginia 22101
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 21, 1998
CONTACT: Dan Rene 703-847-3088
Disqualify New Teamsters Election Officer
Apparent Conflict of Interest Cited in Ethics Group Letter
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the National Legal and Policy Center sent a letter to U.S. District Court Judge David Edelstein requesting dismissal of Teamsters Election Officer Michael G. Cherkasky due to his connection with an individual involved in the Teamsters scandal.
The letter cited an association between the new election officer, Michael Cherkasky and former Ron Carey campaign consultant Martin Davis. Mr. Davis has already pled guilty to multiple criminal charges in connection with the Carey campaignÕs money laundering scheme.
NLPC Chairman Ken Boehm stated "Without an Election Officer who is, and is perceived to be, totally and unquestionably impartial, the rank-and-file Teamster suffers. Union Democracy suffers."
Boehm added, "The fact that Mr. Cherkasky failed to adequately disclose this apparent conflict of interest at the time of his appointment is exceptionally disturbing."
In Mr. CherkaskyÕs letter of Dec. 2, 1997 (the same day of his appointment) he denied any potential conflicts of interest. Only after Mr. Cherkasky had secured the CourtÕs appointment did he notify the Court of his association with Mr. Davis.
On August 21, former Teamsters Election Officer Barbara Zack Quindel nullified the 1996 election results because of a "complex network of schemes" by the Carey campaign. On September 18, Carey Campaign Consultant Martin Davis and two others pled guilty to criminal conspiracy charges. On September 23, Mrs. Quindel resigned due to an apparent conflict of interest.
Boehm added, "If Mrs. Quindel felt it necessary to recuse herself due to circuitous ties to Mr. Davis, then Mr. CherkaskyÕs more direct ties to Mr. Davis should also constitute grounds for his disqualification as Election Officer."
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 ClintonÕs Health Care Task Force. NLPCÕs Organized Labor Accountability Project is investigating and exposing corruption in the Teamsters, LaborersÕ International Union of North American, AFL-CIO and other labor organizations.
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January 20, 1998 Letter to Judge Edelstein