January 27,2000
Honorable Judge George A. Oí Toole
United States Court Suite 2300
1 Courthouse Way.
Boston, MA 02210
Dear Sir,
I am writing in regard to Arthur Coia former
General President of the Laborers International Union of North
America. It is my understanding Mr. Coia is scheduled to enter
a plea in your court on Monday January 31,2000.
The plea bargain deal allows Mr. Coia the
status of President Emeritus and pays him a salary of $250,000
a year. This $250,000 will be paid by 450,000 working union members
Chicken pluckers, Mail Handlers, Hod Carriers and Laborers. These are good hard working people who have been swindled by the Laborers International Union for years.
In 1995 the United States Justice Department
entered into a consent decree with the Laborers to end corruption
and MOB control of the union. On December 5,1999 the LIUNA General
Executive Board made a decision to pay Coia $250,000 a year for
the rest of his life with no input from the 450,000 members of
LIUNA. More disturbing is the fact that we have in house clean
up team led by former FBI agent, W. Douglas Gow, who allowed this
and a Justice Department that went along with this President Emeritus
scheme at the memberships expense.
Mr. Coia does not deserve any kind of honorary
or President Emeritus status. He is corrupt lawyer who abused
his power as a union leader and officer of the court for personal
gain.This is man with political influence being given special
consideration instead of the jail time he deserves.
If you have any power over this plea bargain
agreement. I ask you, on behalf of the working dues paying members
of LIUNA, to strike the part of the plea bargain agreement that
allows Coia to remain as President Emeritus and collect a $250,000
a year salary.
Your honor 15 men voted to pay their old
friend Arthur Coia a salary for the rest of his life not the membership
of LIUNA. To let Arthur Coia off this easy is a mockery of Justice.
To let him leave with $250,000 a year of working Laborers money
for the rest of his life is criminal.
Sincerely yours,
Alex Corns
Business Manager
Hod Carriers
Local 36
San Francisco