Facing a lifetime ban from the Teamsters, corrupt Hoffa power broker Rome Aloise is asking the judge for leniency so he can cash in as a consultant to employers. Attending his last GEB meeting, Aloise blamed his downfall on a right-wing conspiracy.
Disgraced International Union Vice President Rome Aloise has been found guilty of serial corruption charges, including taking employer payoffs and negotiating sham contracts.
At his final General Executive Board meeting, Aloise gave a speech blamed his downfall not on corruption, but on a vast conspiracy by forces who saw him as "the most powerful man in the Teamsters."
Aloise's conspiracy theories are unlikely to persuade Judge Barbara S. Jones, the Independent Review Officer, who will be ruling on his punishment.
The Independent Investigations Officer Joseph diGenova has recommended that Aloise be expelled from the union and barred from associating with Teamsters and officials.
In a brief filed with the judge, Aloise’s attorneys plead that, “A permanent associational ban would largely prohibit Mr. Aloise from earning any future income within his field of expertise.”
In other words, Aloise says his punishment is too harsh, because it would prevent him from cashing in on his Teamster contacts by working for vendors, benefit funds, or Teamster employers.
Aloise’s lawyers suggest that he be removed from only one of his three salaried union positions for just one year!
Rome knows that has no chance of flying with Judge Jones. His real goal is stopping the ban on associating with Teamsters so he can cash in on his relationships with Hoffa officials.
Rome Aloise has cashed in enough. His three salaries totaled $319,880 last year; his total compensation from our union was $383,462. That does not include the multiple pension and severance funds he will cash in on when he retires.
Teamster members have paid enough for Aloise’s misdeeds. It’s time to turn the page.
The Independent Investigations Officer found that, “Aloise stands alone in the number and breadth of serious violations he was found to have engaged in while an International Vice President.”
Judge Barbara Jones should uphold the recommended punishment and permanently bar Rome Aloise from our union and any Teamster associations.
