IRON WORKERS (BSOIW)
Union Opens Defense Fund for Bosses
As previously reported, James E. Cole, the
general secretary of the Int'l Ass'n of Bridge, Structural & Ornamental
Iron Workers, was indicted in Dec. 2000 for union embezzlement. Cole is
the fourth BSOIW boss to face charges in a FBI probe involving allegations
of corruption within the BSOIW hierarchy and D.C. police force. The others
have pled guilty and are cooperating. Cole's indictment has raised speculation
that BSOIW president Jake West is the next target in the ongoing federal
corruption probe. Investigators began looking at BSOIW's financial records
in 1998 because of allegations of police corruption. Officials are trying
to determine if West used union funds to curry favor with ex-D.C. Police
Chief Larry D. Soulsby. Neither Soulsby nor West have been charged, but
sources say West continues to be investigated. West is running for reelection
this Aug. An opposition slate already has emerged, headed by BSOIW
treasurer Joe Hunt of St. Louis.
Now comes word that to help pay legal bills, BSOIW has set up a defense trust fund. The fund's trustee, Cal. attorney Jack R. Ormes, made a direct plea to other building trades union bosses for financial help, hoping to sway them with a warning that their unions could be next. Individuals can contribute up to $10,000 without being subject to federal gift taxes, a solicitation letter notes. It asks: "Should authorized expenditures by union officials generally, but particularly by a general president, in carrying out their duty to implement the lawful provisions of a union's constitution...be subject to criminal prosecution?" Other unions have not been quick to open their checkbooks. Reportedly, only $44,000 has been raised. [Engineering News Record 01/15/01]
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