LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL UNION 0F NORTH AMERICA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 October 15, 1999 		Contact;      David Roscow
                   202/942-2385

LABORERS' INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER ISSUES RULING ON

LIUNA VICE PRESIDENT PETER J. FOSCO

VP Fosco found in violation of LIUNA Ethical Practices Code

 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Independent Hearing Officer for the Laborers' International Union of North America ("LIUNA") has issued a ruling finding LIUNA Vice President and South Central Regional Manager Peter J. Fosco in violation of LIUNA's Ethical Practices Code and federal labor law. The ruling came as a result of an internal union hearing that took place during the spring of 1999.

     LIUNA's General Executive Board Attorney Robert Luskin filed 14 charges against Vice President Fosco on November 24,1998, alleging that, among other misconduct, Fosco "converted Union funds to his own personal use and breached his fiduciary duty to the Union membership ... ...

     In his decision, independent Hearing Officer Peter Vaira found that the GEB Attorney proved 12 counts by a preponderance of the evidence, and ordered that "Fosco's membership in LIUNA is permanently revoked," and "Fosco is permanently barred from holding an office in or being employed by any LIUNA affiliated entity or fund.''
    Fosco has a right to appeal this decision to the LIUNA Appellate Officer within ten days,

     Since 1995, the Laborers' Union has operated under a unique and innovative agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to eliminate corruption and the influence of organized crime within the union. Members of Congress and former FBI and Justice Department officials have praised LIUNA's progress in eradicating corruption from its ranks. In early 1998, the Agreement was extended for a year. LIUNA then negotiated a now Agreement, effective January 7, 1999 through January 31, 2000, that recognizes LIUNA's progress and commitment to reform and significantly limits the conditions under which the contingent consent decree could be imposed.

     Founded in 1903, LIUNA represents some 450,000 workers in construction, environmental remediation, maintenance, food service, health care, clerical, and other occupations The Union also has members in state, local, and municipal government, and postal service.

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905-16th Street, NW - Washington, D.C. 20006-1765 - (207) 942-2246 9 Fax: (202) 638-4398

Converted to html and web published by Laborers for JUSTICE as a free service to LIUNA members. Converted the erroneous and misleading membership figure LIUNA claims to a more reasonable number