April 9, 2008
PoliticsNY.Net: FEDS BUST OPERATORS LOCAL 17
We first mentioned this investigation months ago when we reported the Feds seized Local 17's records. I spoke to President Mark Kirsch, a long time supporter & friend, he told me there was NO truth to the story that his union was corrupt.
"Federal agents this morning arrested 12 officers and members of Operating Engineers Local 17, following a lengthy investigation into alleged labor racketeering and extortion at one of the region's largest construction unions.
Authorities said the president of the Lakeview-based local, Mark N. Kirsch, was one of those arrested in a roundup that began when agents started going to the homes of the suspects at 5:30 a.m.
Law enforcement officials likened the case to a recent investigation that led to prison terms for several of the top officials of Laborers Local 91 in Niagara Falls.
"Some of the criminal allegations in this [Local 17] case go back as far as 10 years. At this point, I can't say anything more than that," U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn said this morning." ###