WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the National Legal and Policy Center demanded the dismissal of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) General Executive Board Attorney Robert D. Luskin.  NLPC's formal request to the U.S. Department of Justice also calls for a Government takeover of the scandal-ridden union.

Luskin is supposed to be responsible for the integrity of the LIUNA internal clean-up effort which is allegedly ridding LIUNA of organized crime.  Yet, Luskin's recent actions demonstrate a clear bias and a possible conflict of interest which compromises his ability to preform fair investigations and impartial oversight of LIUNA

Repeatedly, Luskin has defended President Clinton by blasting Whitewater Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr.  Luskin has claimed Starr's investigation has gone out of bounds, and he has said, among other things, that Starr has "incredible bad judgment."  Ever since LIUNA averted a Government takeover in 1995, there have been credible allegations that LIUNA President Arthur A. Coia and LIUNA "got off easy" because of Coia's friendship with Clinton and the First Lady.
 
NLPC Chairman Ken Boehm said, "Given the history of the LIUNA case, this is unacceptable conduct for Luskin.  Aiding Clinton in this manner, demonstrates that Luskin has a clear and overt bias which harms the objectivity of his investigation of Coia."

Boehm continued, "Without an oversight official who is, and is perceived to be, totally and unquestionably impartial, the rank-and-file LIUNA member suffers.  LIUNA members deserve a corruption-free union and should not have to tolerate any more embarrassment."

Further, calling into question Luskin's impartiality towards Coia was Luskin's recent attack on NLPC.  In a letter to U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara and in the media, Luskin defended Coia against NLPC criticism.  Boehm said, "It is in no way appropriate for Luskin to defend Coia against such criticism.  That's a job for LIUNA's press secretary or Coia himself.  Luskin is not charged with LIUNA public relations; he is charged with impartially cleaning up this mob-dominated union."

NLPC requested that Government take whatever action is available and appropriate to have Luskin immediately relieved of his duties at LIUNA.  NLPC added that the Government should act before LIUNA Independent Hearing Officer Peter Varia's hearing into Luskin's -- now suspicious -- charges against Coia. Varia's closed hearing is reported to be scheduled for March 18, 1998.
 
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.

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NOTE:  For interviews to facilitate your coverage or for a copy of the NLPC request to the Department of Justice, please contact Dan Rene at 703-847-3088 or drene@nlpc.org.

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