This is what you call a major escalation in the federal probe of corruption in the United Auto Workers.
UAW president Gary Jones (Photo: Facebook)
Media sources are reporting that the FBI executed multi-state raids Wednesday, including on the suburban Detroit home of union president Gary Jones.
Robert Snell at The Detroit News reports:
Federal agents fanned out to execute search warrants at multiple locations, including Jones' home in Canton and at the UAW Black Lake Conference Center, a 1,000-acre retreat in northern Michigan financed with interest from the union's $721 million strike fund, which is bankrolled by worker dues.
Agents also were searching (former UAW president Dennis) Williams' home in Corona, California, about 47 miles east of Los Angeles. Property records indicate Williams bought the $610,000 home in January.
... The focus on Jones was not immediately clear but The News last year reported federal investigators were questioning UAW officials' use of almost $1 million of membership dues on condominiums, liquor, food and golf in Palm Springs, California, where Jones held annual conferences before becoming president in 2018.
The federal investigation is looking into the payment of bribes and kickbacks, as well as industry attempts to influence labor negotiations.
