Corruption Officer Brings Charges against Joe Smith of Delaware Local 326

The Teamster Independent Investigations Officer (IIO) has issued a report recommending charges against Joe Smith, the principal officer of Delaware Local 326, for illegally driving union-owned cars for more than a decade after getting convicted of a DUI and for lying under oath during the investigation. 

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The charges have been referred to the IBT leadership for a hearing. The final judge will be the Independent Review Officer (IRO), Judge Barbara Jones. 

Smith was convicted of a DUI in 2014 and illegally drove union-owned vehicles for ten years without a valid license. After the IIO began investigating, Smith obtained a conditional license that required him to install an interlock device with a breathalyzer. But Smith installed the device  on his late father's car instead of on the Ford Expedition he drove for union business.  

Smith is accused of subjecting the union to substantial uninsured risk, never advising Local 326 or the IBT of his arrest, and lying under oath to IIO investigators to cover up his actions.

The IIO charges estimate that he has cost the union $100,000 in unwarranted payments.

The IIO and IRO are retired federal judges who administer the Teamster anti corruption program.  That program is explained here.

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