The Hartford Laborers' Union, whose leadership involvement with organized Criminal activity and La Cosa Nostra were disclosed recently by The Hartford Times, has been put under trusteeship by the international union.
Dominic Lopreato of New Britain , who heads the caretaker union regime, told The Times that the Laborers Union of North America has put the union here into trusteeship.
"I guess there was something wrong. A complete report will be filed with the State Labor Department, " Lopreato stated.
Michael Balesano 's link to Raymond Patriarca, reputed head of La Cosa Nostra (Mafia) in New England and now in prisoned, were disclosed in The Times report which also included his brother's lengthy police record, involving organized crime activities.
Lopreato said that Walter (Sonny) Frederick, who was described as one of the biggest fences or receivers of stolen goods in Hartford, has been reduced from union steward to a job foreman. He didn't disclose where Frederick was working.
Lopreato said that other officers listed by The Times as having histories of relationships with organized crime had been relieved of duties prior to The Times disclosures.
The were John (The Mustache) LeConche of Hartford and William Del Gaizo of West Hartford, both of whom have been arrested in connection with gambling activities in the area.
Arthur E. Coia, international representative for the union in Boston, who has been named trustee, was not available for comment.
Members of the union regarded Lopreato as a friend of Balesano. He previously headed the Connecticut Laborers District Council, a welfare and pension operation within the union.