The U.S. prosecutor leading the investigation of corruption within the United Auto Workers union says a federal takeover remains an option shortly after the former UAW president pleaded guilty to embezzlement.
Gary Jones has been under investigation for quite some time and was convicted of racketeering and embezzlement on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe into the misuse of millions of dollars, embezzlement and bribery by union officials. Jones is the 14th person to plead guilty in the case, joining 11 officials associated with the union and three Fiat Chrysler executives.
Speaking with Reuters, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, Matthew Schneider said a federal takeover of the UAW is “absolutely” possible.
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“The union needs to change quite simply,” he said. “There’s a more urgent need to reform the union and fix it. I’m pretty much at the end of my patience.”
Jones was charged in March for his involvement in embezzling more than $1 million of union funds for golf trips, expensive cigars, liquor and other merchandise and luxuries, CNBC reports.
“I apologize to my UAW family for the betrayal of their trust and pray they will forgive me,” Jones said during the hearing conducted through Zoom.
The former UAW president faces up to 57 months in prison and as much as $250,000 in fines. Jones remains free on bail and has agreed to cooperate with the government in the prosecution of others. He will face sentencing on October 6.
Schneider believes one way the UAW can become more transparent is to explore the direct election of officials to make them more accountable rather than electing them through delegates.