Expelled Hogan casts shadow on Teamsters

January 10, 2005

BY ROBERT HERGUTH Staff Reporter

Nearly three years after being expelled from the Teamsters, Bill Hogan Jr. still has a larger-than-life presence in his old Berwyn union hall -- a giant portrait of him hangs on the wall.

The well-known labor boss was accused of undercutting the Teamsters by helping a nonunion firm that employed a brother and was run by a friend -- the same type of behavior lambasted in a 1996 report that claimed Hogan and his family and allies were running Local 714 essentially for their own gain, "not . . . for the benefit of . . . members."

While Hogan's picture is all rank-and-file reformers need to illustrate their belief that little has changed at Local 714, now run by Hogan's son Robert, investigators offer other evidence.

Nonunion labor singled out

A recent report obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times indicates that the problems that existed in 1996 -- when Local 714 was briefly taken over by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the Hogans were temporarily forced out -- persist to this day. The confidential document, compiled in 2003 by a now-defunct Teamsters investigative squad, suggests another Local 714 takeover is needed.

Aside from the "favoritism, nepotism and conflicts of interest" that long have been problems within the group, the report raises questions about whether Local 714 leaders "allowed Teamster work to be performed by nonunion labor provided by persons with ties to organized crime."

Owners of at least two firms that have provided nonunion workers at Rosemont's convention center and McCormick Place -- places where Teamsters work the docks to set up and dismantle trade shows -- may have ties to reputed mob figures, the report found. Some of the nonunion workers may have performed duties designated for union people, but the companies got away with it because Local 714 either looked the other way or had loopholes in contracts, the report indicated.

'Grossly excessive fees' cited

Neither Teamsters spokesman Brian Rainville nor Robert Hogan would comment.

Other findings include:

*Local 714 has used a benefits consultant accused of charging "grossly excessive fees" to another Chicago Teamsters unit.

*Personal loans were made to Hogan family members by a bank that holds Local 714 funds.

*The son of an official at that bank belongs to Local 714 and, while he's low on the seniority list, he routinely gets called to work movies being filmed in town. Local 714 staffs film sets, and Hogan relatives and friends continue to own businesses that supply equipment to those productions. Critics long have contended that union members tight with the Hogans usually get the first calls for lucrative work.

*Bill Hogan Jr. may continue "to maintain influence and control over the operations of Local 714 through his son" and Bill Hogan Jr.'s brother James M. Hogan.

That's troubling not only because Bill Hogan Jr. isn't supposed to be involved in Teamsters affairs anymore, but because he allegedly has had contact with organized crime figures in recent years, the report stated.

Panel urged to investigate

Aside from the reputed mob associates who have belonged to Local 714, such as Hogan pal Nick Boscarino, Bill Hogan Jr. attended a 2001 private party in Las Vegas held by Rick Rizzolo, a Las Vegas strip club owner who may have ties to organized crime figures, and Rocco Lombardo, whom the FBI identifies as a Chicago gangster, documents show.

In an interview this past fall, Hogan acknowledged visiting that restaurant but not for a private party with those men, whom he said he doesn't know.

The Teamsters' investigative squad urged a government-sanctioned group called the Independent Review Board to investigate further and decide if another "trusteeship" is warranted.

Some critics are frustrated that Local 714 remains untouched, saying there's more evidence of problems now than in 1996. The review board's chief investigator did not respond to a reporter's inquiries.

At Rainville's request, the Sun-Times provided the Teamsters with a written list of allegations raised in the report and asked for an interview on those topics. Rainville replied that there would be no comment unless the Sun-Times also provided a copy of the report, which Rainville said they don't have even though it was generated by an arm of his union.

The Sun-Times declined.