Organized Crime Infiltration Of Unions Prosecutions
What Is Organized Crime Infiltration of Unions?
Organized crime infiltration of labor unions occurs when criminal organizations or syndicates:
Gain control or influence over union leadership.
Use the union’s power to engage in illegal activities such as extortion, racketeering, bribery, embezzlement, and bid-rigging.
Exploit union pension funds, control labor contracts, or extort employers.
Relevant Laws Used in Prosecutions:
Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968
Allows prosecutors to charge individuals or groups for patterns of criminal conduct as part of an “enterprise,” including unions.
Taft-Hartley Act (Labor Management Relations Act, 1947)
Prohibits union officials convicted of certain crimes from holding union office.
Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951)
Prohibits robbery, extortion, and interference with commerce by threats or violence.
Mail and Wire Fraud Statutes (18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343)
Used for schemes involving fraud through electronic or postal communication.
Key Elements Prosecutors Must Prove
Existence of a criminal enterprise (often the union or leadership controlled by organized crime).
Pattern of racketeering activity (at least two predicate crimes within ten years).
Use of the union as a vehicle for illegal activities.
Key Case Law Examples
1. United States v. Local 560 (Teamsters Union) (1986)
Facts: Prosecutors charged Local 560 of the Teamsters with being controlled by the Chicago Outfit (a notorious organized crime group).
Charges: RICO violations for extortion, bribery, and embezzlement.
Outcome: The court found the union was effectively under mob control, leading to convictions and court supervision.
Significance: Demonstrated how RICO could be used to dismantle mafia control over major unions.
2. United States v. Genovese Crime Family (1980s)
Facts: The Genovese crime family infiltrated several New York construction unions, using them to extort contractors and manipulate labor markets.
Charges: RICO, extortion under Hobbs Act, and conspiracy.
Outcome: Several top mob figures and union officials convicted and sentenced to long prison terms.
Significance: A landmark example of combatting organized crime’s stranglehold on powerful unions, especially in construction.
3. United States v. Teamsters Local 357 (1990)
Facts: Local 357 officers and members were charged with embezzling union funds, bribery, and conspiring with organized crime to rig contracts.
Charges: Mail fraud, wire fraud, and RICO.
Outcome: Leaders convicted; the union placed under court supervision.
Significance: Showed federal efforts to clean up corruption inside smaller locals beyond the national union.
4. United States v. Anthony “Fat Tony” Salerno (1986)
Facts: Salerno, a leader in the Genovese crime family, was charged with controlling several unions and racketeering through them.
Charges: RICO and extortion.
Outcome: Convicted and sentenced to 100 years.
Significance: Major blow to mafia infiltration in unions, emphasizing that mob bosses could be held accountable for union crimes.
5. United States v. Local 638 (Hotel Employees Union) (1970s)
Facts: The union’s leadership was accused of extortion and bribery, controlling union funds for personal gain and intimidating union members.
Charges: Racketeering and mail fraud.
Outcome: Convictions led to federal oversight and reforms within the union.
Significance: One of the early cases demonstrating federal commitment to rooting out corruption in labor unions.
6. United States v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters (1991)
Facts: The national Teamsters union was prosecuted for systemic corruption and infiltration by organized crime, affecting multiple locals.
Charges: RICO, fraud, and extortion.
Outcome: Resulted in a historic consent decree and the establishment of a court-appointed independent monitor.
Significance: Landmark case reforming one of America’s largest unions by cutting mafia influence.
7. United States v. Cement Masons Union Local 780 (2013)
Facts: Union officials conspired with organized crime figures to extort money from contractors.
Charges: RICO and Hobbs Act extortion.
Outcome: Convictions secured after detailed investigations.
Significance: Showed ongoing vigilance against infiltration even in smaller or regional unions.
Summary of Legal Principles
| Case | Year | Charges | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local 560 (Teamsters) | 1986 | RICO, extortion | Convictions & court supervision | Mob control of large union |
| Genovese Crime Family | 1980s | RICO, extortion | Prison sentences | Mafia infiltration of construction unions |
| Teamsters Local 357 | 1990 | Mail & wire fraud, RICO | Convictions & oversight | Corruption in smaller locals |
| Anthony Salerno | 1986 | RICO, extortion | 100-year sentence | Holding mob bosses accountable |
| Local 638 (Hotel Employees) | 1970s | Racketeering | Convictions & reform | Early corruption case |
| International Brotherhood of Teamsters | 1991 | RICO, fraud, extortion | Consent decree, court monitor | Major union reform |
| Cement Masons Local 780 | 2013 | RICO, extortion | Convictions | Modern enforcement example |
Conclusion
Prosecutions of organized crime infiltration in labor unions have historically been a major focus of federal law enforcement, especially under RICO. These cases demonstrate how:
Criminal enterprises use unions to extend their influence.
Courts apply stringent standards to prove racketeering and conspiracy.
Federal oversight and consent decrees can reform corrupt unions.
Even in recent years, law enforcement continues to target union corruption linked to organized crime.
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