Ex-UAW Prez Arraigned, Expected to Play Nice With Feds

Former United Auto Workers President Gary Jones was arraigned via video link yesterday, catapulting the disgraced union boss back into the headlines two months after his arrest on charges of embezzlement, racketeering, and defrauding the U.S. government.

During a videoconference held by the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Jones’ attorney entered a not-guilty plea for his client, though the former UAW boss is expected to plead guilty in June. The manner in which Jones was charged gives every indication a plea deal is in the works, with Jones’ assistance in fingering co-conspirators offered in exchange for a reduced sentence.

The biggest fish fried in the federal government’s years-long investigation into corruption among the upper ranks of the UAW, Jones was forced to resign from his post in November 2019 after media reports outed him as a co-conspirator of another UAW official charged as a result of the probe.

As reported by The Detroit News, Jones is expected to plead guilty on June 3rd. He’s also expected to help the feds nab four unnamed co-conspirators who prosecutors claim joined in on the embezzlement of more than $1.5 million in union dues, as well as assist in the investigation of current and former UAW leaders (who may or may not be members of the mysterious four).

Jones and company are accused of forking over misappropriated dues on tony rented villas in Palm Springs, high-end booze and cigars, and golf equipment.

From The Detroit News:

Jones is expected to cooperate with ongoing investigations of [ex-UAW President Dennis] Williams, President Rory Gamble and former Vice President Jimmy Settles, The News has learned. The three labor leaders have not been charged with wrongdoing.

Investigators are probing allegations of strip club payoffs in exchange for contracts to supply union-branded merchandise, sources told The Detroit News, as well as financial ties between Gamble, retired Vice President Jimmy Settles and one of the union’s highest-paid vendors. Gamble has denied wrongdoing, and a lawyer representing Settles declined comment.

Under the charges he currently faces, Jones could see five years in prison for his role in the scandal that rocked the UAW and led to concerns of a takeover by the Justice Department.

[Image: UAW]