ProfLERoy’s views on labor are positive … but not when it comes to corruption. Meet John T. Coli Sr. (above). He is one of Chicago’s most powerful labor leaders.
Last week, Coli was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts of extortion and one count of attempted extortion from a local film production company. Prosecutors allege that Coli received cash payments from the firm totaling $100,000, threatening economic retaliation if money was not forthcoming.
In 1989, his union settled a civil RICO suit with the Justice Department. At the time, various Teamster affiliates in the Chicago area were closely scrutinized by a federal monitor, including Local 727.
John Coli Sr.’s father, James Coli, headed that local. The son was elevated after the father encountered legal trouble. He's held the post ever since-- until he resigned last week.
Whether it’s the Trump Enterprise or the Teamsters Enterprise, federal investigators need to do their work without political interference.
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