Latest news with #InternationalUnionofOperatingEngineers
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump issues unexpected pardon for Long Island labor boss James Callahan less than 24 hours before sentencing
A disgraced ex-Long Island union boss was spared prison Tuesday, after President Donald Trump issued a last-minute pardon less than 24 hours before he was set to be sentenced. James Callahan, a 65-year-old Lindenhurst native and former top labor leader of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was set to be sentenced Wednesday by US District Judge Ana Reyes. But on Tuesday, Callahan's attorney, David Schertler, notified Reyes that his client had received a 'full and unconditional' pardon from the President, with his sentence in a temporary state of suspension until prosecutors file a formal request to dismiss the case, court records show. James Callahan, 65, the former boss of the International Union of Operating Engineers, was pardoned by President Donald Trump less than 24 hours before he was expected to be sentenced to prison. AFP via Getty Images Schertler said his client was 'extremely grateful for President Donald Trump's consideration and pardon and the opportunity to get back his life and his reputation after devoting over 40 years to the cause of organized labor and the members of the International Union of Operating Engineers and their families.' Trump has so far provided no reason as to why he decided to issue a pardon for Callahan, who prosecutors had only recommended a six-month prison sentence for. 'No MAGA left behind,' Trump's pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr. posted on X Monday as the President commuted a slew of sentences this week — but it's unclear if Callahan fits that bill. There's no record he ever supported or donated to Trump in the past, and his union actually backed both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over Trump in the last election while he was still in charge, according to records. Callahan's attorney, David Schertler, said he was 'extremely grateful for President Donald Trump's consideration and pardon.' The St Patrickâs Day Parade The judge, however, expressed that she was 'quite disappointed' to learn of Callahan's pardon, noting he had accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct, according to a transcript of Wednesday's hearing. In January, Callahan pleaded guilty to failing to report over $315,000 he scored in tickets to games, concerts, shows and other financial perks from a company that did business with his union. As part of the plea deal, Callahan — who prosecutors say has a net worth of more than $5 million — agreed to repay the union and step down as president. 'The Operating Engineers were unknowingly funding Defendant Callahan's spree of pricey entertainments — a lifestyle his substantial salary could easily accommodate,' prosecutors wrote in their sentencing recommendation, calling him 'one of the most powerful union leaders in the country.' The Justice Department is now expected to file a motion to dismiss the case.
28-05-2025
- Business
Trump pardons a labor union leader on the eve of sentencing for failing to report gifts
WASHINGTON -- A labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report gifts from an advertising firm was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the eve of his sentencing hearing Wednesday, court records show. James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, New York, was general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers when he accepted — but failed to properly report — receiving at least $315,000 in tickets to sporting events and concerts and other amenities from a company that the union used to place ads. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was scheduled to sentence Callahan on Wednesday. On Tuesday, however, Callahan's attorneys notified the court of Trump's 'full and unconditional' pardon and asked for the sentencing hearing to be vacated. The pardon itself doesn't specify why Trump granted him clemency. The judge is holding Callahan's sentence 'in abeyance' — a temporary state of suspension — until prosecutors file a formal request to dismiss the case, court records show. Ed Martin Jr., now the Justice Department's pardon attorney, was acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia when Callahan pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to knowingly filing false annual reports with the U.S. Labor Department. Callahan's lawyers and a spokesperson for Martin didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Earlier this month, prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months for Callahan, calling him "one of the most powerful union leaders in the country." They said Callahan's salary and other compensation topped $500,000 annually. Now retired and living in Florida, he has a net worth of more than $5 million, according to prosecutors. 'That the Operating Engineers were unknowingly funding Defendant Callahan's spree of pricey entertainments — a lifestyle his substantial salary could easily accommodate — is especially condemning,' they wrote. Callahan's plea agreement required him to repay the union $315,000 for the tickets and to immediately resign as union president. 'Those tickets and amenities properly belonged to the Operating Engineers, and yet Defendant Callahan used many of those tickets personally and provided other tickets to members of his family and persons who were not members of the Operating Engineers,' prosecutors wrote. The Washington-based union that Callahan led represents nearly 400,000 heavy machinery operators on construction and industrial sites throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump pardons a labor union leader on the eve of sentencing for failing to report gifts
WASHINGTON (AP) — A labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report gifts from an advertising firm was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the eve of his sentencing hearing Wednesday, court records show. James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, New York, was general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers when he accepted — but failed to properly report — receiving at least $315,000 in tickets to sporting events and concerts and other amenities from a company that the union used to place ads. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was scheduled to sentence Callahan on Wednesday. On Tuesday, however, Callahan's attorneys notified the court of Trump's 'full and unconditional' pardon and asked for the sentencing hearing to be vacated. The pardon itself doesn't specify why Trump granted him clemency. The judge is holding Callahan's sentence 'in abeyance' — a temporary state of suspension — until prosecutors file a formal request to dismiss the case, court records show. Ed Martin Jr., now the Justice Department's pardon attorney, was acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia when Callahan pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to knowingly filing false annual reports with the U.S. Labor Department. Callahan's lawyers and a spokesperson for Martin didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Earlier this month, prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months for Callahan, calling him "one of the most powerful union leaders in the country." They said Callahan's salary and other compensation topped $500,000 annually. Now retired and living in Florida, he has a net worth of more than $5 million, according to prosecutors. 'That the Operating Engineers were unknowingly funding Defendant Callahan's spree of pricey entertainments — a lifestyle his substantial salary could easily accommodate — is especially condemning,' they wrote. Callahan's plea agreement required him to repay the union $315,000 for the tickets and to immediately resign as union president. 'Those tickets and amenities properly belonged to the Operating Engineers, and yet Defendant Callahan used many of those tickets personally and provided other tickets to members of his family and persons who were not members of the Operating Engineers,' prosecutors wrote. The Washington-based union that Callahan led represents nearly 400,000 heavy machinery operators on construction and industrial sites throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Winnipeg Free Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trump pardons a labor union leader on the eve of sentencing for failing to report gifts
WASHINGTON (AP) — A labor union leader who pleaded guilty to failing to report gifts from an advertising firm was pardoned by President Donald Trump on the eve of his sentencing hearing Wednesday, court records show. James Callahan, of Lindenhurst, New York, was general president of the International Union of Operating Engineers when he accepted — but failed to properly report — receiving at least $315,000 in tickets to sporting events and concerts and other amenities from a company that the union used to place ads. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes was scheduled to sentence Callahan on Wednesday. On Tuesday, however, Callahan's attorneys notified the court of Trump's 'full and unconditional' pardon and asked for the sentencing hearing to be vacated. Ed Martin Jr., now the Justice Department's pardon attorney, was acting U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia when Callahan pleaded guilty on Jan. 29 to knowingly filing false annual reports with the U.S. Labor Department. Callahan's lawyers and a spokesperson for Martin didn't immediately respond to emails seeking comment. Earlier this month, prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of six months for Callahan, calling him 'one of the most powerful union leaders in the country.' They said Callahan's salary and other compensation topped $500,000 annually. Now retired and living in Florida, he has a net worth of more than $5 million, according to prosecutors. 'That the Operating Engineers were unknowingly funding Defendant Callahan's spree of pricey entertainments — a lifestyle his substantial salary could easily accommodate — is especially condemning,' they wrote. Callahan's plea agreement required him to repay the union $315,000 for the tickets and to immediately resign as union president. 'Those tickets and amenities properly belonged to the Operating Engineers, and yet Defendant Callahan used many of those tickets personally and provided other tickets to members of his family and persons who were not members of the Operating Engineers,' prosecutors wrote. The Washington-based union that Callahan led represents nearly 400,000 heavy machinery operators on construction and industrial sites throughout the United States and Canada.
Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Hamilton water strike: My Facebook friend says I need to boil my drinking water. Do I?
No, you don't have to boil your drinking water during the strike at Hamilton's water treatment plant , says the city — even if your friend on Facebook tells you otherwise. The 50-plus operators, technicians and maintenance workers that run the city's water treatment and sewage plants went on strike Wednesday, primarily over a pay dispute. Online reactions to the strike have ranged from questions about possible sewage backups to random advice to boil water before drinking it, just in case. In an interview Thursday, city manager Marnie Cluckie acknowledged resident worries, but argued they remain safe to use both taps and toilets. 'We understand that in these situations there is uncertainty, and that residents are going to have concerns,' she said. 'The water is safe to drink and all essential services are running.' The city says it is redirecting an unspecified number of non-unionized managers to cover critical duties while plant operators and maintenance tradespeople are on strike. A question being asked by residents — and the International Union of Operating Engineers representing striking workers — is how effective a smaller number of managers will be filling in for 50-plus regular employees. 'There are public health considerations and environmental considerations at stake if you don't have enough trained, certified people on the job,' said union business manager Greg Hoath, suggesting the potential for boil-water advisories or sewage spills if inexperienced fill-ins make a mistake. Hamilton water director Nick Winters said he wants to see the 'experienced, talented and passionate' operators back on the job as soon as possible. But he added the city was prepared for the work stoppage — including with a contingency plan, a list of fill-in managers and their qualifications that were reviewed by the provincial environment regulator. Hoath expressed doubt the city has 'anywhere close' to the required number of qualified managers. He said the union has reached out to the province with questions about the contingency plan. Winters also noted the city plants normally have about 15 operators working on any given day shift, with a smaller number at night. 'The Hamilton water division is not running business as usual,' he said. 'But every single task that is necessary to maintain essential services … all of those tasks are being done.' That includes water purity tests, oversight of treated effluent making its way into Red Hill Creek and tracking of any combined sewer overflows spurred by storms. Those tests can help the city catch problems in the system, which occasionally spur a limited boil water advisory or additional chlorination and flushing of pipes. Some work not critical to resident safety will likely be delayed, Winters noted, including engineering and design work for capital upgrades or new builds, for example.
