A 12th United Auto Workers official is charged in ongoing federal corruption probe – CNBC

FBI agents walking into the house of United Auto Workers President Gary Jones after removing products from the area on Wednesday, Aug. 28

, 2019. Michael Wayland/CNBC

DETROIT– The scope of an ongoing federal corruption probe into the United Auto Workers continues to expand as the union tries to

Jones and his predecessor, UAW President Dennis Williams, have been targeted by federal officials as part of the examination,

including raids on their houses in August, however have not been charged with any criminal offenses. The Detroit News on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, determined both males as being unnamed co-conspirators in the filing that laid out the charges versus Robinson.

Robinson, who led a local UAW community action program council where Jones acted as director, is accused of conspiring with union leaders to “embezzle, take, and unlawfully and willfully abstract” more than $1.5 million in money and properties for individual gain to sustain “extravagant lifestyles,” according to a brand-new criminal filing.

solidify brand-new labor contracts with the Detroit automakers. Federal district attorneys on Thursday charged Edward Robinson, a union authorities with ties to UAW President Gary Jones, with conspiracy to embezzle union funds and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Both are felonies punishable by as much as five years in jail.

The UAW provided the following statement in response to the federal corruption probe:

Senior union authorities included in the plan

presumably purchased luxurious suppers and spent hundreds of countless dollars on hotels and personal rental properties and tens of countless dollars on cigars along with golf green charges and merchandise, according to the filing.

Federal district attorneys on Thursday charged Edward Robinson, a union official with ties to UAW President Gary Jones, with conspiracy to embezzle union funds and conspiracy to defraud the United States., however have actually not been charged with any criminal offenses. The UAW is grounded in the principle of putting our members initially, and that belief has actually never ever fluctuated. 10 individuals, including seven with the union, have been sentenced to jail as part of the probe.

The alleged prohibited activities, according to the filing, occurred from about 2010 up until September. The time frame signals federal prosecutors are continuing to concentrate on retired and current UAW authorities.

The allegations versus Robinson– the 12th individual charged as part of the probe– come a day after the UAW, including Jones, announced a brand-new tentative handle

Ford Motor. 10 individuals, including 7 with the union, have actually been sentenced to prison as part of the probe. UAW Region 5 Director Vance Pearson, who took a leave of lack from the union, has been charged as part of the examination however not been founded guilty. The investigation was expected to include to the

Robinson was charged in a criminal information filing, which indicates a guilty plea is expected.

“We take any allegation or claim about the misuse of union resources extremely seriously. The UAW is grounded in the concept of putting our members initially, and that belief has actually never ever wavered. The UAW remains focused on negotiating and finalizing strong agreements for our members– especially throughout this round of automobile settlements.”

currently contentious agreement negotiations in between the UAW and Detroit automakers.

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