Judge I. Leo Glasser Dismisses Civil RICO Case Against ILA |
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| 11/05/2007 |
NEW YORK - On November 1, 2007, United States District Judge I. Leo Glasser dismissed the Civil RICO case brought against the International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO by the U.S. Justice Department more than two years ago.
From the outset, the ILA maintained the suit was unnecessary especially in light of all the actions the ILA's Executive Council had taken over the previous four years to enhance and protect members' rights and to insure the union was run ethically and honestly. These steps included the adoption of a Code of Ethics and the hiring of an Ethical Practices Counsel to independently administer the Code and to investigate any and all complaints of wrongdoing by ILA officers or members.
After Judge Glasser dismissed the case last week, the ILA issued the following statement: The International Longshoremen's Association, AFL-CIO, is delighted that Judge I. Leo Glasser has dismissed the Government's Civil RICO case. This case was based on outdated stereotypes of the ILA, was an insult to ILA members, and never should have been brought. While Judge Glasser has given the Government the right to file a new complaint, we hope that the Government will realize on reflection that the public interest is not served by further litigation.
When the U.S. Justice Department first filed the Civil RICO suit on July 6, 2005 against the ILA and several of its top officers, the ILA maintained that the complaint was not justified by law or the facts and was filed, despite substantial structural reform taking place in the union. The ILA had tried, for several years prior to the suit being filed, to engage the Justice Department in discussions with the union to resolve the dispute without the need for litigation.
The ILA claimed the Justice Department's suit was merely an exercise in perpetuating an outdated image of the ILA while ignoring long standing efforts by ILA leaders to strengthen union members' rights and to eradicate any unlawful conduct. These steps included the adoption of a Code of Ethics effective January 1, 2004 and the creation of the position of an Ethical Practices Counsel, whose duties included "dealing with organized crime influences, corruption and enforcing the provisions of the Code of Ethics."
The Honorable Judge Milton Mollen, an individual whose life of public service had demonstrated impeccable character and honesty, has served as the Ethical Practices Counsel since 2004. In November 2005, the ILA expanded the term of service for Judge Mollen, and even brought on board an independent Appellate Officer, Judge George C. Pratt, to hear any appeals from actions taken by the Executive Council in response to recommendations made by Judge Mollen. At the July 2007 Convention, the ILA made the Code of Ethics a part of its Constitution.
The ILA represents waterfront workers and other crafts at port areas on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, major U.S. Rivers, Eastern Canada and Puerto Rico. The ILA is currently in the fourth year of a six-year contract that guarantees labor peace and protects U.S. Commerce at Eastern and Gulf Coasts through September 2010.