February 17, 2004
United States Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Federal Building
219 South Dearborn Street
5th Floor
Chicago. Illinois 60604

Dear United States Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald,

    I am writing you regarding the failure of the Laborers International
Union Internal reform endeavor and the misuse of Department of
Justice sources and information.

    Starting in 1969, I provided the Department of Justice and the FBI
with information relating to the control of the Laborers
International Union (LIUNA) and many of its Locals by Organized Crime
(LCN).  In 1991 together with United States Attorney Kenneth Lowrie
and numerous FBI agents, we commenced in preparing the 1994 Draft
Complaint. The sole purpose of the complaint was to remove all LCN
control of LIUNA and its affiliates and not limited to those in
Chicago and Buffalo and opponents of Arthur Coia Jr.

    When I first learned that an agreement was reached by LIUNA and the
DOJ, I was opposed and openly expressed my feelings. It was only
after I was assured by LIUNA GEB Attorney Robert Luskin and Inspector
General Douglas Gow that New England, New York and New Jersey LCN
Control would also be targeted. In addition I would be an active paid
investigator and allowed reasonable unfettered ability to follow
through on investigative leads. At first everything seemed to be in
order and I believed that the process would be a success. It was only
after I started developing sources (May 1996) that were close to
Arthur Coia Jr., Armand Sabitoni, Philip Schwab and Raymond Patriarca
that my investigative activity was called into question and I was
ordered to cease because it was not authorized. Immediately after I
testified before Congress regarding LIUNA, I learned that an article
appeared in the Village Voice News that reflected that I named former
Congressman Jack Kemp as "mobbed up". Outside of the FBI, I never
discussed Jack Kemp with anyone nor have I ever said that he was
mobbed up. I did state that Jack Kemp did certain business favors for
a mob associate and eventually I was asked by Kemp if this associate
was connected to the LCN. I also stated that an assistant to Jack
Kemp was heavily connected to the LCN and continued to be. I was
somewhat perplexed as to how the Village Voice obtained this
previously unknown information but suspected Robert Luskin who had
access to all my 302's. I then received a phone call at my residence
from Newsweek reporter Michael Isikoff who left a recording asking me
to call him back regarding the Kemp Story. I immediately contacted
the Justice Department as well as the FBI to report what I considered
a very disturbing practice of someone giving out my unlisted number
and a breach of security. As many know, my remarks and testimony has
not created many friends in the LCN and my whereabouts could have
lead to physical harm for me and/or my family.

    I confronted Attorney Luskin him over the Isikoff issue, because I
firmly believed that he or someone in his firm initiated the
publicity of my telephone number. Luskin answered by stating that he
was a dyed in the wool democrat and that this information is vital
and that the public has a right to know. He never answered my
questioning about who gave out my number. I explained to him that my
previous comments do not hurt Jack Kemp. He asked me to let Isikoff
decide and that he could be at Luskin's office in minutes. I told him
I would meet with him but this will be the last of it. After meeting
with Isikoff, he agreed with me that my information did not affect
Jack Kemp.

    Mr. Fitzgerald, I wish to point out that this episode clearly shows
that Robert Luskin has used his position as well as privileged FBI
and DOJ information for his own personal gain as well as the
utilization of his offices in the promotion of a agenda non
beneficial to the matter they were intended for.. I also wish to have
known that during this time and since 1994, I was in contact with
high level LIUNA officials who provided me with critical information
which included Arthur Coia's role in the Luskin-Gow appointments.

    Just prior to my testimony in Buffalo and Local 210, I learned from
the FBI that LIUNA had conducted an intensive investigation of me in
an effort to discredit my credibility. I explained that I was puzzled
on why Luskin or his associates have kept this from me nor questioned
me about it.  I then requested from Robert Luskin and Daniel Braun
that they supply me with a copy because I was informed by the FBI
that information contained in the investigation documents showed that
my rights may have been violated by LIUNA as well as a probable
breach of lawyer-client privilege. I was assured I could have them
but that I would have to wait until my testimony was done. I was also
assured that assistance would be given to help me with employment and
my lost wages and pension credits owed me. Even though I repeated
asked for the investigation documents to date I have never received
them.

    During the period that I worked for LIUNA and Inspector Generals
Office I have been asked to reveal my sources which I have done. In
1998 when I realized that that the true purposes of the
investigations were not against Coia or his supporters, did I start
to refuse to reveal them. I was ordered to name them or I would not
be paid. I decided that I no longer desired to be part of a scam and
quit. Outside of my complaints to the DOJ and FBI, I have remained
silent in the hope that a miracle would happen. It is 2004 and I no
longer expect miracles. All I can do is ask that an investigation of
the investigators take place and that the United States Department of
Justice exercise its rights and place this union under Federal
Trusteeship.

    There is no question in my mind that all of us have been the victims
of a game that has allowed certain privileged LCN members and
associates as well as political figures to avail this process to put
on a show so that their power remains in place. Substantial
replacement of LCN control has taken place in Chicago, Buffalo a few
New York City and New Jersey (certain family) locals and district
councils. If you take a closer look at these you will see that
without them (need to show something) the internal reform program
would have been placed in the garbage. Many LCN locals and
International Union representatives have remained unscathed and where
success has been achieved the positions and posts have been filled
with Coia lackeys. I could go on and on about the lack of
investigations with Coia controlled locals and benefit funds which
include many that I have personal and direct knowledge about.

    Even though Coia has been removed in name? His presence remains via
his law partners, cohorts and appointed overseers. Anyone familiar
with the LIUNA investigation will tell you that I stated prior to its
happening that Armand Sabitoni will be placed in a high LIUNA
position. I also stated that Coia Sr. was close to Terry O'Sullivan
Sr. and that his son or another close non-Italian will be named as
General President or General Secretary Treasurer.  I was at the
funeral of Peter Fosco Sr., and present at the discussions to remove
O'Sullivan Sr. as Secretary Treasurer because he wanted to be the
next LIUNA president (which had Coia seniors blessing). Ask anyone in
the know about Coia Sr., and Coia Jr's role in the Hauser –
O'Sullivan Insurance swindle and who brought it to the attention of
the Chicago LCN?.

    Most of us know the truth about who investigated the New York City
Mason Tenders as well as the Concrete Workers. Why does Luskin take
credit for this or Local 91 in Niagara Falls. The bare truth is: this
whole consent decree program has been a sham. A vehicle to remove
Coia opponents and replace them with Coia loyalists, a vehicle where
certain Genovese family controlled officials have been allowed to
escape prosecution and allowed to strengthen their position. As we
know the LCN has mutated and has been restructured. The children of
the made are well educated. They know that to pull a Gotti is to find
a cold jail. If anything we have smartened them up. Money remains the
key and since the consent decree was issued little has been done to
recover and protect the pensions and health benefits of the
membership. I am still aware of crimes that continue and I have
pointed them out to Coia appointed Investigators.  Arthur Coia Jr.
stated and I quote: "There is no goal more important in our Union
than eliminating all traces of improper influences and past
corruption and thereby restoring true autonomy and democracy to our
hardworking members." On this we both agree. Bob Luskin has alluded
that the millions of dollars that the taxpayers have saved is
profound and should be considered in any judgment of the process.
Many of us should have known better!!!  How could we allow a Coia
appointed cleanup team to remove questionable elements from this
infested union. We praised, including yours truly, the process even
though we had every reason to be skeptical. When I stated to Luskin's
office as well as to Peter Vaira that I do not like testifying over
the telephone (almost impossible for me) and that I would rather face
my detractors. I was told we are trying to save money and in 1 known
instance (Pittsburgh) my testimony was not critical to the case.

    I know I have substantial unused or explored information that can
reveal the truth. I am sure and I point it out that the Doctors of
Spin will find someway of painting me as bad and influenced by events
not relative to the honesty, sincerity, worthiness and pious efforts
of those appointed by Coia. I have testified in numerous cases
involving LCN control of LIUNA, The Teamsters and Hotel Restaurant
Employees Unions. I have done so at great risk to myself both
physically and financially. I am no saint but I believe in the little
guy who needs a voice and needs to live just like the rest of us. I
have tried and I tried to work with Robert Luskin and Doug Gow. I
know now that I should have followed my convictions and been more
vocal earlier. I didn't but I am now.

    We still have time to curtail this cancer and we still have time to
help good decent workers who are mostly unaware of their losses. I
know that any effort will be difficult to initiate especially since
our main priority is to combat terrorism. I am confident that I can
prove my case and I am sure that there are others that will
participate in exposing this scam for what it is.
Sincerely,
Ronald M. Fino

Cc:

Thomas J. Kneir, Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Office
AUSA Craig Oswald
AUSA David Buvinger
Special Attorney J. Kenneth Lowrie









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