TEAMSTERS (IBT)
Corruption Charges Oust New York Boss, But Not Family
Boss Edward Doyle ended his fifteen year reign over Int'l Bhd. of Teamsters
Local 456 in Elmsford, N.Y., on Jun. 14. Doyle opted for a seven-year
suspension and resigned the $172,000-a-year Local 456 presidency when faced
with embezzlement and bribery charges that could have led to a lifetime
expulsion.
IBT's Independent Review Board began investigating Doyle after his name came up on tapes recorded during an investigation of John A. Gotti of the Gambino crime family. IRB accused Local 456 of buying twelve cars for its bosses costing $377,630 (about MSRP) from Park Lincoln Mercury in Yonkers and trading in old cars for less than fair value. In return for favorable exchange, Doyle and other bosses were reportedly able to repurchase the union's used vehicles for their private use at sharply discounted rates, saving about $18,335 per boss. IRB held that such discounts constituted a bribe for future union business. The U.S. Atty.'s Office in Manhattan is also reportedly probing Doyle.
Doyle's power with Westchester County can't be understated. When Doyle holds a golf tournament for a charitable foundation named for his parents, the guest list is a "Who's Who in Westchester," said State Sen. Nicholas A. Spano (R). Local 456 attorney Roy Barnes said, "I would say that anyone who runs for office in Westchester comes to see Eddie Doyle. Eddie can deliver votes and can deliver manpower and contributions." His office is full of political trophies including a recently received proclamation from Westchester Dist. Atty. Jeanine Pirro (R).
But Doyle will retain most of his influence. He will remain as head of the Westchester-Putnam Building and Construction Trades Council, an umbrella group of seventeen construction unions. Further, the new Local 456 boss is his younger brother, Bernard, and Local 456's seven-member executive board includes his son, Edward, Jr., and his brother-in-law, George Graff. Doyle's father, also Edward, ran Local 456 from 1940-60. [N.Y. Times 6/27/99]
In addition to the unions and organizations covered in this Union Corruption Update, readers can look forward to news and information on other corrupt and abusive unions in future editions.
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Union Corruption Update is part of NLPC's Organized Labor Accountability Project which is investigating and exposing corruption and extremism in the Teamsters, LIUNA, AFL-CIO and many other union organizations. NLPC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit foundation promoting ethics and accountability in government through research, education and legal action.
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