George Laufenberg is also a former commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
George Laufenberg, a former high-ranking official with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters union charged for more than $1.5 million in fraud, is in plea negotiations with federal prosecutors, according to a court document.
U.S. District Court Judge Kevin McNulty issued an order on April 18 granting a “continuance of proceedings” through July 18 to give Laufenberg’s counsel “the reasonable time necessary for effective preparation in this matter and to allow the parties to conduct plea negotiations and attempt to finalize a plea agreement.”
Laufenberg is also a former commissioner for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who registered his address as his son’s Hoboken apartment to meet the bi-state agency’s Port District residency requirement.
An attorney for Laufenberg did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
A week after McNulty issued the order, a magistrate judge dismissed Laufenberg’s lawsuit against the Northeast Carpenters Pension Fund and several related funds. Laufenberg was seeking money the fund denied to him after his 2016 firing. According to the dismissal, Laufenberg and the defendants agreed to a settlement and each paid their own attorneys fees and court costs.
Context: Laufenberg, a resident of Harvey Cedars, is the former manager of the Carpenters union’s New Jersey/New York benefit funds, overseeing more than $2 billion. The union fired him in 2016, citing “potential violations” of federal securities law.
Laufenberg was indicted by a federal grand jury on five counts in 2019. Federal prosecutors allege he stole from union benefit plans by using his authority to “to self-deal and benefit himself,” granting himself a $120,000 pension and $180,000 in annual deferred compensation in addition to his roughly $300,000 salary. He also allegedly gave a friend a “low-show job” with the funds that included a full salary, pension, annuity contributions and health benefits.
Carpenters controversies: The United Brotherhood of Carpenters is one of the most influential labor unions in New Jersey politics and has been beset by controversy since Laufenberg’s firing.
In a 2018 whistleblower lawsuit, John Ballantyne, the ousted executive secretary-treasurer of the Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters, alleged his local council was dissolved after uncovering malfeasance that had the blessing of some of the international union’s top leaders, including allegations against Laufenberg.
Just months later, Ballantyne and the union settled the lawsuit. But federal prosecutors began investigation the allegations, and in late 2019, a federal grand jury sent subpoenas to several entities tied to the Carpenters union.
Mr McCarron you have been served
ReplyDeleteLaufenberg did not commit suicide
ReplyDeleteSo if George did wrong in his previous role as a fund administrator, are the fund trustees also wrong for not carrying out their fiduciary duties??
ReplyDeleteNot just wrong but in Fiduciary Breach under ERISA. As such they can be sued for their 2 million bond,their insurances policy's and their personal assets.The UBC and Dirty Doug could have sued when they seized the council to shut up and retaliate against Ballantyne. Why didnt he. He did so before when he seized the Empire Council.He sued all the Trustees for Fiduciary breach for about $350 million.But in the end he let them off the hook because his ULLICO insurance company carried their insurance policy's and would have had to pay. Here he will also not sue because two of the trustees he would have to sue are the rat crooks Franky"The Chimp" Spencer and Mikey"cheap suits"Capelli
ReplyDeleteGo figure!!! So you mean if someone was to bring them up on charges, could it be possible???
DeleteIt looks as if it is entirely possible... But even more importantly ... It seems like a greater probability the feds would pursue it if it was an actual complaint from a member of said group. Giving them cause. Despite the depth and breadth of 1000s of tips and evidentiary producing clues found all over this blog for at least the last 6 years or more.
DeleteBy the way. That would be UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
ReplyDeleteEASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK 2:12-cv-02332
Did copy paste don’t think it’s showing up correctly can you help?
DeleteI putt this rite up there with the hiring of anthony squllo. Atleast laughenberg was qualified at the start. See what happens when jersey hires people…….maybe start a fair hiring process? No they wud never
ReplyDeleteIn m y humble opinion The Feds or US Attorney can bring charges if you prove a criminal act.If you mean can a fund participant sue them for Fiduciary Breach.Again in my opinion yes.
ReplyDeleteA lot is riding on whether the Prosecutor is going to offer Georgie Boy a soft easy to swallow deal, or a hard one that will compel him to try and be a witness for the govt. Hopefully in light of all that is involved with Georgie Boy the Feds take the latter tract.
DeleteMcCarron is losing his flying monkeys
ReplyDeleteOne well written letter to the State Reps sponsoring the RTW legislation in PA could be just bump needed to get it the next Governors desk which would be the end of the EAS, Frank Spencer, Sproule’s and all the rest of Council parasites.
ReplyDeleteIf you don’t think they have and know all their dirt you will never get it.
DeleteBoth political parties know what they have on each other it’s all tolerated.
I just want RTW to become law so I can vote with my wallet; no vote, no dues. With RTW I, nor any other member, wont need anyone else’s support or intervention. RTW will provide the opportunity for a rapid bottom up turn around of the entire UBC.
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