"The record compels the inference," Sweet wrote, "that avoidance of his own prosecution was at least one motive for Coia's decision."

But the issue was academic. The international had the right to take over after due process, Sweet ruled. Clearly, the Mason Tenders deserved it, and today prosecutors are pleased with the international's efforts.

Coia was able to fend off the Justice Department with a number of concessions. He agreed to restore union democracy and to carry out an anti- corruption campaign led by a team of former FBI agents and federal prosecutors.

Today, Coia boasts that reform was his idea. "This is my process," he says, "my suggestion, my development and my implementation of it. Mine."

A common refrain among Coia's critics is that any reform program led by Coia is like a fox guarding a henhouse. Such criticism exasperates Coia. He says he is as susceptible to investigation as anyone.

And Coia has managed to toss old rivals overboard.

Last spring, it was Serpico's turn.

On May 19, Coia flew to Chicago to testify at an internal disciplinary hearing. Serpico had been charged with violating a brand new union code against consorting with the mob.

At the hearing in Chicago, Coia spoke at length about his old colleague under direct examination from Luskin, the union lawyer.

Coia testified that Serpico had caught him off guard by steering him to that surprise meeting with Solano, the Chicago mob chieftain.

Coia said he had heard rumors of mob influence in the Laborers and read the report of the President's Commission on Organized Crime, but this was his first actual proof. Coia said the experience left him shaken.

"The rumor of the organized crime committee report, the whole thing became a reality," he said. "It was something - I don't know - like out of the movies. It was a matter of fact . . . This group of people was running the show."

The hearing broke for the day in the middle of Coia's testimony. Serpico's lawyer, Lydon, was looking forward to cross-examining Coia about his story.

Lydon wanted to ask why - even after the dramatic encounter at O'Hare - Coia had named Serpico a union "hearing officer," a prestigious job responsible for resolving members' complaints, including those about mob influence.

But, before Coia could return to the witness stand, the disciplinary case was settled.Serpico voluntarily left the executive board and was allowed to retire quietly this year.

Coia never faced that cross-examination.By agreement of the parties, the file was sealed.

THE PLAYERS

Arthur E. Coia: Hundreds attended the 1993 funeral of the Laborers leader.

Arthur A. Coia: The son of Arthur E. Coia, he outmaneuvering a Chicago vice president to win the general presidency.

Angelo Fosco: Coia's predecessor as general president, he rose from his deathbed to make a final plea for Coia's rival.

President Clinton: He exchanged letters and golf clubs with Coia and had the Coias to dinner.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Coia says he bumped into her at a Laborers event in Florida just as negotiations between the Laborers and the Justice Department reached a critical point.