Associated Press
via FoxNews.com
9/28/2010
WASHINGTON — The FBI and the U.S. Labor Department are investigating prominent labor leader Andy Stern in their probe of corruption at the Service Employees International Union, according to two people who have been interviewed by federal agents.
The two organized labor officials met with federal agents this summer to answer questions about a six-figure book contract that Stern landed in 2006 and his role in approving money to pay the salary of an SEIU leader in California who allegedly performed no work.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigation.
The FBI and the Labor Department’s office of inspector general declined to comment for the record.
The disclosure about the federal inquiry of Stern — who abruptly resigned as president of the 2.2-million member SEIU in April — comes just weeks ahead of contentious congressional elections in which the union is spending an estimated $44 million to support its favored Democratic candidates.
The SEIU has been plagued with several financial scandals since 2008, when the Los Angeles Times reported that Tyrone Freeman, head of the union’s largest California local, misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from the union. The union ousted Freeman and demanded that he return the money. No federal charges have been filed against him, but SEIU spokeswoman Michelle Ringuette said the union has been cooperating with the FBI.
Stern left his post two years before the end of his term, saying he wanted to focus more on his personal life. He remains a member of President Barack Obama’s deficit commission and a highly influential figure in the White House, where he was one of the most frequent visitors last year. He is also a research fellow at Georgetown University and a paid consultant for the SEIU.
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Conservative bloggers we’re reading offer commentary and background on this, and related, news. We hope you’ll use the following links to read what they’ve got to say:
RiehlWorldView:
FBI Investigating Obama’s Main Man, SEIU’s Andy Stern
Michelle Malkin:
Former SEIU prez Andy Stern, other Purple Army officials, under FBI investigation
GatewayPundit:
FBI Raids Home of Chicago SEIU Leader in International Terrorism Sweep
Updated: GatewayPundit:
FBI Investigating Obama Confidant and Union Chief Andy Stern?
The Blaze:
FBI Investigates Prominent SEIU Labor Leader Andy Stern
Update: via Lucianne.com:
Video of Obama praising SEIU
In a long lost Obama speech to SEIU supporters in Chicago,Obama admitted during this speech that he has a long history with the radical organization. He also admitted to organizing and protesting with the SEIU.
Update 2: via Politico, SEIU denies investigation reports
