Coli Agrees to Cooperate with Feds to Get Lighter Sentence

Former Chicago Teamster power-broker John Coli pleaded guilty two days ago, and has agreed to cooperate in investigations in exchange for a sentence of less than two years in prison.

coli_thumb.jpgColi pleaded guilty to taking payoffs -- $325,000 according to the indictment – from an employer in the movie industry. He also got the free use of a yacht from a vendor.

Even worse, Coli’s actions have damaged our union’s reputation, and the reputation of every honest Teamster officer working daily for members. Corruption undermines our union’s ability to organize and to involve our members in the union.

Coli was a Hoffa-aligned International vice president until his defeat in the 2016 IBT election by Teamsters United candidates in the Central Region, and remained the head of Chicago Joint Council 25, which covers some 101,000 Teamsters in Illinois. His son now heads Local 727. 

He has been expelled from the union. His protégé, Becky Strzechowski, also resigned her Teamster offices last January. 

Get Advice Join TDU Donate

Recent News

New NLRB Acting General Counsel Reverses Pro-Union Policies

In a blow to the Teamsters and other unions, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is overturning policies that made it easier for nonunion workers to organize.

Union Busters Push for National Right to Work (for Less) Legislation

Anti-union politicians have introduced national Right to Work legislation in both the House and Senate. If passed, the legislation would hurt Teamsters and all workers.

View More News Posts