Rome Aloise is out of office, suspended from all positions, salaries, and power in the Teamsters Union for a period of two years, in a decision handed down on December 22.

Hoffa will get to fill the International Vice President vacancy, with the approval of the General Executive Board; Seattle Joint Council 28 President Rick Hicks may be in line for it. Or, will Aloise, who calls himself “the most powerful man in the Teamsters,” demand that Hoffa leave the position vacant for him?

Aloise was also removed as president of Joint Council 7 and Secretary Treasurer of Local 853.

The removal is overdue: Aloise was first charged with serious crimes against the union and members 22 months ago, in February 2016. 

The sentence is lighter than expected: the Independent Investigations Officer (IIO) recommended banning him for life. That would be in line with previous punishments handed down, and would be the appropriate punishment for an International vice president caught taking gifts from employers during bargaining, signing sham contracts, and illegally rigging a local union election.

Aloise got a lighter sentence after testimonials to the Judge by Hoffa appointees and millions of dues dollars were spent on lawyers. Judge Barbara Jones, the Independent Review Officer, handed down the sentence, after finding Aloise guilty on October 24.

Aloise was finally caught, and “the most powerful man in the Teamsters” is now out of office.

What can really clean-up corruption in the Teamsters?  All concerned Teamsters should read this report and see what you think.