Ex-leader of major California union faces theft, tax charges

Los Angeles Times ^ | 8/1/12 | Paul Pringle and Richard Winton

[ruralvoter]

Not long ago, Tyrone Freeman was a rising star in the national labor movement, already the head of California's biggest union local and a force in Democratic politics from Los Angeles toWashington, D.C.

Freeman's quick climb up the ranks of the powerful Service Employees International Union burnished his reputation as an advocate for the disadvantaged, a man who helped improve the lot of some 190,000 workers paid about $9 an hour to care for the infirm.

On Tuesday, though, Freeman was indicted on federal charges of stealing from those workers to enrich himself — even billing the union for costs from his Hawaiian wedding. The 15-count indictment, which also contains allegations that he violated tax laws and gave false information to a mortgage lender, carries combined maximum prison sentences of more than 200 years.

The charges resulted from a nearly four-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, FBI and Internal Revenue Service that grew out of a series of Times reports on Freeman's financial dealings as president of SEIU Local 6434. The ensuing scandal cost Freeman his job and spread through the SEIU, leading to the ouster of several other California officials as well as the president of the union's biggest Michigan local.

[blueunicorn6]

Must not have given enough of his stolen money to the Democrat party.

[MplsSteve]

Before I got too far into the article, four specific words stood out...

“Service Employees International Union”

That told me all I need to know.

[Myrddin]

Tyrone Freeman

[EQAndyBuzz]

This is going to be the lead tonight on the MSM. They are going to do anything they can to throw Chik Fila out of the headlines.

[Myrddin]

Chick-Fil-A is having a business boom on the controversy. Cool. I'm gluten intolerant, so fried chicken is not on my menu. Otherwise, I might well join the fray.