The Teamsters General Executive Board (GEB) is set to vote tomorrow, October 1, on the punishment International Union VP Rome Aloise will face for his corruption violations.
A Teamster panel has found Aloise guilty on multiple charges. The question is will the GEB give Aloise a slap on the wrist or will they show that the Teamsters Union can clean up our own house.
We will learn the answer tomorrow.
Aloise’s attorney Pat Syzmanski, who also works for both Hoffa and Vairma, has been maneuvering behind the scenes to try to broker a settlement of the charges and a minimal punishment.
However the GEB votes, the final decision will be made by Judge Barbara Jones, the Independent Review Officer (IRO) of the Teamsters Union.
The GEB decision is important, because it will tell us who on the Teamster leadership cares about cleaning out corruption and who only cares about protecting a key leader of the Hoffa-Vairma team.
Aloise was previously found guilty of taking expensive gifts from an employer he was bargaining with, pressuring two employers to hire his cousin; making a sham contract with his investment friend; and misusing Teamster resources to get a supporter elected to union office.
Tomorrow's vote is a litmus test. Stay tuned.