UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

EASTERN DIVISION

 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and                      )

LABORERS’ INTERNATIONAL UNION                )

OF NORTH AMERICA by and through                      )

ROBERT LUSKIN, in his official capacity as                )

General Executive Board Attorney,                               )

                                                                                    )

                                                Plaintiffs,                       )

                                                                                    )

            v.                                                                     )           99 C 5229

                                                                                    )           Judge Gettleman

CONSTRUCTION & GENERAL LABORERS’        )

DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CHICAGO AND             )

VICINITY, an affiliated entity of the Laborers’             )

International Union of North America,                           )

                                                                                    )

                                                Defendant                     )

 

MONITOR’S FOURTH QUARTERLY REPORT TO THE COURT

 

            Pursuant to Section 18 of the Consent Decree, the Monitor is required to file a Quarterly Report describing the actions he has taken toward achieving the objectives and purposes of the Consent Decree. This First Quarterly Report describes the Monitor’s actions from the period August 29, 1999 to November 29, 1999. The Second Quarterly Report describes the Monitor’s actions from December 1, 1999 to February 16, 2000.   The Third Quarterly Report describes the Monitor’s Actions from February 17, 2000, to May 15, 2000. This Fourth Quarterly Report describes the actions since May 15, 2000.

            Charges

            On July 7, 2000, the Monitor filed disciplinary charges against Joseph Donato, a Local 225 member. Donato was charged with several different kinds of misconduct, including: intimidation of union members in connection with an election; financial malpractice while a Local 225 officer; theft from an employer; interference with the proper conduct of the union; and false and misleading statements to LIUNA inspectors and to the Monitor. A copy of the charging document is attached to this Report.

The Monitor devoted considerable time and effort during the fourth quarter to completing the investigation of Donato and preparing the charges against him.

            Document Review and Analysis

            As reflected in the earlier quarterly reports, the Monitor previously had received a substantial number of documents from various unions and other sources.  Review of those documents continued into the fourth quarter.  In addition, during the fourth quarter the Monitor reviewed additional documents from the Laborer’s pension and health and welfare funds, as well as subpoenaed documents from various financial institutions and other sources.

            Other Investigative Activities

            The Monitor has continued to issue subpoenas and make document requests.  Joseph Lombardo, Jr., filed a motion to quash a subpoena which had been served on him. Briefing is completed and a ruling by the Court is anticipated shortly.      The Monitor has held meetings with FBI agents, investigators with the LIUNA Inspector General, the LIUNA Inspector General himself, the GEB Attorney, the CLDC Trustee, and others to obtain information and to discuss the progress of the various aspects of the investigation.

The Monitor has been reviewing documents and conducting an investigation with an eye toward bringing charges against others, probably some time during the next two quarters.


 

            Interviews continue of persons with possible knowledge of Consent Decree violations.

                                                                        Respectfully Submitted,  

 

                                                                        Steven Miller

                                                                        Monitor

 

 

 

Steven A. Miller

SACHNOFF & WEAVER, LTD.

30 South Wacker Drive

Suite 2900

Chicago, IL 60606

(312) 207-1000