by
Nancy A. Johnson (LinkedIn phoito)
The United Auto Workers' image continues to take a beating.
In the latest development in an ongoing FBI probe, former UAW official Nancy A. Johnson, 57, of Macomb, is charged with participating in a conspiracy in which she and other senior UAW officials accepted concealed payments and things of value from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles executives shortly before 2015 collective bargaining negotiations.
FCA executives allegedly stole $4.5 million in training funds that were supposed to help autoworkers, and instead spent it on themselves and union officials.
From 2014-16, Johnson held the second most senior position in the UAW Chrysler Department. She also served as a member of the UAW National Committee that negotiated against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles during the 2015 collective bargaining sessions.
The allegations raise questions about the integrity of contracts that she and other UAW officials were involved with.
Specifically, the indictment, which was unsealed Wednesday, alleges that Johnson illegally accepted from Fiat Chrysler tens of thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing, golf resort fees, limousine services, lavish meals, luxury accommodations, luggage and first-class travel for herself and an associate.
In one instance, Johnson spent $1,160 for a pair of designer shoes and spent $1,217 for salon and spa services, and $1,518 for women’s graphite golf clubs and a diva cart bag, which were paid for with funds from Fiat Chrysler.
She also allegedly spent $4,587 for a meal at LG's Prime Steak House in Palm Springs in 2015, according to the indictment.
“Today’s indictment marks the sixth defendant charged in a scheme where senior UAW officials betrayed the hard-working men and women of the union by accepting illegal payments from company executives,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider says in a statement. “My office will continue to work tirelessly with our partners at the U.S. Department of Labor, IRS, and the FBI to expose and prosecute any union official or corporate executive involved in similar criminal conduct.”
