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U.S. NEWS Friday 6 March 2020

'Simple greed': Ex-UAW leader Jones charged with corruption

By ED WHITE before quitting under a were being targeted.
Associated Press cloud in November. The latest guilty plea oc-
DETROIT (AP) — Prosecu- Nine union officials and a curred Monday when Ed-
tors on Thursday charged late official's spouse have ward "Nick" Robinson ap-
the former president of the pleaded guilty since 2017. peared in court. He was
United Auto Workers with The investigation began based at the UAW's Region
corruption, alleging he with the discovery that Fiat 5 office near St. Louis, which
plotted with others to em- Chrysler money from a Fiat was led by Jones until
bezzle more than $1 million Chrysler-UAW job training Jones became UAW presi-
to splurge on private villas, center was stolen. It then dent in 2018. The govern-
golf outings, boozy meals stretched to embezzlement ment said Robinson fraud-
and horseback rides on of union funds. ulently obtained $500,000
beaches. The court filing against to $700,000, giving at least
The federal government Jones describes a scheme $60,000 to Jones.
has been marching toward to pocket cash and enjoy Vance Pearson, another
Gary Jones for months, af- luxuries, starting in 2010, Jones ally from his time in In this July 16, 2019, file photo, Gary Jones, United Auto Workers
ter an embarrassing search long before he rose to the St. Louis, pleaded guilty President, speaks during the opening of their contract talks with
of his Detroit-area home presidency. in February. He followed Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Auburn Hills, Mich.
and a series of guilty pleas Jones and other officials set Jones to become head of Associated Press
in a wide-ranging investi- up accounts that were sup- the regional office.
gation of UAW leaders liv- posed to be used for legiti- The UAW expressed dis- The UAW, based in Detroit, The scandal has caused
ing the high life while repre- mate conference expens- gust about the allega- has about 400,000 mem- tension between GM and
senting blue collar workers. es in California. Instead, tions against Jones, who bers and is best known for Fiat Chrysler. GM filed
"We stand before you to- according to the govern- marched in Detroit's Labor representing workers at Fiat a racketeering lawsuit
day because of greed — ment, they used the money Day parade last year, just Chrysler, General Motors against the rival, alleging
pure and simple greed. ... to pay for "private villas, days after agents seized and Ford Motor. Fiat Chrysler was able to
The charges against Gary high-end liquor and meal golf clubs and more than Schneider said some type negotiate valuable labor
Jones are offensive to the expenses, golfing apparel, $30,000 from his Canton of government oversight of concessions with the UAW
hard-working men and golf clubs and green fees." Township home. the UAW is possible when in exchange for payoffs at
women of the UAW," said Jones, for example, or- "This is a violation of trust, the criminal investigation a job training center. Three
Steve D'Antuono, the head dered more than $13,000 a violation of the sacred ends. He referred to re- Fiat Chrysler officials plead-
of the FBI in Detroit. worth of cigars from a shop management of union cent positive comments by ed guilty, including the
Jones was charged with in Arizona, according to dues, and goes against ev- the head of the Teamsters company's former labor re-
conspiring to embezzle, to the court document. erything we believe in as a union, which emerged from lations chief.
aid racketeering and to U.S. Attorney Matthew Sch- union," the UAW said. oversight after 30 years. A $262,000 mortgage on a
defraud the government. neider recited a litany of The union now is led by Rory "It could possibly be a good union official's home was
The document was titled other excesses: horseback Gamble, who has promised model here," Schneider paid off with training center
a criminal "information," riding on the beach, sun- to reform the culture in the said. money from Fiat Chrysler.q
which signals that a guilty glasses, spa treatments for UAW's top ranks. As part of
plea is likely. spouses. that effort, a Michigan va-
Defense attorney J. Bruce "We are not done and I cation home built on union
Maffeo offered no com- can't predict when we will property for retired Presi-
ment. Jones was UAW pres- be done," Schneider said dent Dennis Williams is listed
ident for about 1 1/2 years when asked if more people for sale at $1.3 million.

Michigan lawmaker disciplined

after sexual harassment probe

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Republican Sen. Peter Lu- ary after a young reporter
Michigan lawmaker was cido of Macomb County's complained that Lucido
stripped of a committee Shelby Township lost his po- made a sexist comment
chairmanship and ordered sition leading the Senate to her before a group of
to undergo training Thurs- Advice and Consent Com- high school boys. A female
day after the state Senate mittee. He will continue to senator then accused him
concluded allegations of chair another panel and of sexually harassing her
sexual harassment lodged co-chair a joint Senate- at a Capitol orientation.
by several women, includ- House committee. A woman who works for a
ing a legislator, were cred- The Senate had opened trade group made similar
ible. an investigation in Janu- allegations.q