The Teamster Independent Investigations Officer has issued a report charging two former Teamster officials from Southern California with gross financial misconduct, including former International Union Vice President Chris Griswold.

The 147-page report issued by the Investigations Officer (IIO) details a litany of financial misconduct, accusing Griswold and Harren of “abusing the union credit card, treating it as a blank check to permit them luxury living without limit.”   

The report will now be reviewed by General President Sean O’Brien and the General Executive Board who have 90 days to take action. 

The IIO report documents luxury meals, featuring top-shelf liquor and wine of $300-$400 a bottle, with one $890 bottle going on the union tab. Members’ dues money paid for extravagant meals not just for officers but for their family and friends.  

In all, the IIO investigation found that over a five-year period, Griswold used the union credit card to spend at least $51,261.38 for unauthorized expenses that had no union purpose and that Harren did the same to the tune of $82,681.

Forced Resignations 

The financial misconduct was investigated by auditors from General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman’s office. 

Zuckerman and General President Sean O’Brien then pressed Griswold and Harren to resign from all union positions.

Griswold stepped down as Local 986 principal officer, Joint Council 42 President, and International Union Vice President At-Large, Harren as Local 986 President effective November 4, 2025. 

As part of a resignation agreement, they paid restitution to Local 986 of $50,000 each and agreed not to seek or accept union office or employment for eight years. 

The forced resignation of Griswold, one of the most powerful Teamster officials in the union, by his own running mates stands in sharp contrast to the protective treatment that top leaders got in the Hoffa era when they faced corruption charges. 

International Union Vice President Rome Aloise took employer payoffs in exchange for negotiating concessions and negotiated a sham contract from an employer friend, but was never held accountable for these or any other corruption by Hoffa.

Aloise was permanently banned from the union by Independent Review Officer Judge Barbara Jones on December 10, 2021. 

Griswold and Harren will now be held publicly accountable for their misconduct. That transparency strengthens our union.

The IIO issued its report and recommended charges to fully inform the membership of the misappropriation of funds and to require Griswold and Harren to make Local 986 whole for all of the money they owe.

The report now goes to General President O’Brien. The General Executive Board has 90 days to act or to refer the case back to the Independent Review Officer. They are expected to schedule a hearing.

For a full explanation of the Teamster anti-corruption program, read here.