The Teamsters Independent Investigations Officer, Judge Timothy Hillman, has recommended that charges be filed against Albany Local 294 President Thomas Quackenbush for illegally converting union funds into thousands of dollars in gifts for its retiring principal officer.

The allegations in the report filed on July 3 stem from a March 2023 retirement party which Albany Local 294 held to honor their long-time president John Bulgaro.

According to the proposed charge, excess funds from the party were directed to Bulgaro in the form of a Cadillac costing $53,716.92, a cruise for two costing $12,081.70, and additional cash totalling $5,125.

The report documents that IBT General Secretary Treasurer Fred Zuckerman instructed Quackenbush that he could not use Teamster or Teamster-affiliated funds as a gift to Bulgaro, but that Quackenbush continued with the plan and “looked for ways around that prohibition.”

The report also recommends charges against Bulgaro who participated in the scheme. Bulgaro retired in 2023 after decades as Local 294 President.

The charges are now referred to the IBT leadership to handle by organizing a hearing panel. The final review is under the jurisdiction of the Independent Review Officer, Judge Barbara S. Jones.

Teamsters Local 294 represents approximately 5,500 members in 16 counties across upstate New York.