Michael Coats, then the director of the Johnson Space Center, called Mr. Krafts life a testament to his dream of space exploration: He is a space pioneer without whom wed never have heard those historic words on the surface of the moon: Houston. In addition to Cahill, the others charged in the case are Arthur Gipson from Local 200 and from Local 638: Prosecutors charged all of the other defendants with the same crimes as they did Cahill, with the exception of Roche and Gipson, who were both charged with honest services fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to violate Taft-Hartley. Kraft again found himself a spectator during the landing of Apollo 11, which he viewed from Mission Control, sitting with Gilruth and George Low. [3][5] As a boy, Kraft played in an American Legion drum-and-bugle corps and became the state champion bugler. After the flight, astronaut John Glenn stated that he believed a human passenger would have been able to bring the capsule under control without the need for an early re-entry, thus (in the words of Time) "affirming the superiority of astronauts over chimponauts. [29], Mercury-Atlas 6, the February 20, 1962, flight of John Glenn, was a testing experience both for Mission Control and for Kraft.

[101][102] The Mission Control Center at the Johnson Space Center was renamed the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center in his honor in 2011,[103] and Kraft Elementary School in Hampton, Virginia, near his hometown, was named for him. They are going to do what he says.. As a substitute, George Low, the manager of the Apollo Spacecraft Program Office, came up with the idea of assigning a new mission profile to Apollo 8, one that could be flown without the lunar module. The reasoning was that the package, which was strapped over the heat shield, would hold the heat shield in place if it was loose. Section 1962(d) (Count One); honest services fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, "Space Pioneer Chris Kraft Resigns". But in the windowless mission control room, he became a blunt taskmaster, demanding obedience and precision from subordinates and astronauts. All rights reserved. It also recommended that NASA cut back on the organizational changes intended to improve safety that were made after the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. One of them, James Cahill, is the former president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council. In turn, Paine recommended the mission to Administrator James E. Webb, who gave Kraft and his colleagues the authority to begin preparations for the mission. [71], Kraft was eligible to retire in the early 1980s, but he chose not to take the option. He was 95. While his relationship with the astronauts was not always smooth, he was adamant about who was in charge. * Enter a valid Journal (must Glenn landed safely, but an inspection of his capsule revealed that one of the landing bag switches had been faulty. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., who died July 22, 2019, created the concept of NASA's Mission Control and developed its organization, operational procedures and culture, The United States Marshals Service s authorized to deposit the payments on the Money Judgment into the Assets Forfeiture Fund, and the United States shall have clear title to such forfeited property. By clicking on this tab, you are expressly stating that you were one of the attorneys appearing in this matter. "[76] Fundamental to the report was the idea that the Space Shuttle had become "a mature and reliable system about as safe as today's technology will provide. . Theres no question about that in my mind or in the astronauts minds. "[34], Before the flight of Mercury-Atlas 7, Kraft had objected to the choice of Scott Carpenter as the astronaut for the mission, telling Walt Williams that Carpenter's lack of engineering skills might put the mission or his own life in danger. Among those indicted were James Cahill, 71, of upstate Pearl River, president of the New York State Building and Construction Trade Council, which represents over 200,000 unionized construction workers across the state. Click here to report information on Amazon warehouses.

This case is being handled by the Offices Violent and Organized Crime Unit and the Public Corruption Unit. Adolfson & Petersons new central Texas director of preconstruction also discussed how the industry has changed over the past three decades and how the role of tech is evolving. kraft nasa mission control christopher chris space center apollo [24], A pivotal experience for Kraft was the flight of Mercury-Atlas 5, which sent a chimpanzee named Enos on the first American orbital spaceflight carrying a live passenger. [108], "Chris, you come up with a basic mission plan. WebToggle navigation. At the Langley Research Center, advanced wind tunnels were used to test new aircraft designs, and studies were taking place on new concepts such as the Bell X-1 rocket plane. His father, a hospital finance officer, had been born just before the 400th anniversary of Columbuss arrival in the New World: thus the name. kraft on racketeering, fraud and bribery charges, Construction execs discuss future of safety technology, Despite labor shortages, construction in Texas is booming, 2 workers dead in trench collapse at JFK Airport jobsite, Its not just you: Construction really is risky business, Former Montana construction exec pleads guilty in monopoly case, Skanska wins $120M California highway interchange job, Latest Developments in Construction Megaprojects, Overcome These 4 Challenges Facing Multifamily Owners and Operators in 2023, The latest technology shaping the construction industry, After legal victory, uncertainty surrounds Mid-Currituck Bridge project, Las Vegas Bellagio hotel undergoes $110M redesign, Bills finalize agreement on new stadium with state, county, 3 Ways the Schedule Tool in Autodesk Build Keeps your Projects on Track, Mortenson pilots Sarcos robots on solar installation project, After shocking drop, construction jobs regain footing, Balfour Beatty profits jump, fueled by US infrastructure wins. JAMES CAHILL, CHRISTOPHER KRAFT, PATRICK HILL, MATTHEW NORTON, WILLIAM BRIAN WANGERMAN, KEVIN MCCARRON, JEREMY SHEERAN, a/k/a Max, ANDREW MCKEON, and ROBERT EGAN charged with racketeering, fraud, and bribery offenses, in connection with their alleged acceptance of payments in their roles as current and former union officials to corruptly influence labor-management relations in the construction industry. I put my hand on his arm and squeezed. His assistant on the mission, Gene Kranz, considered Glenn's flight "the turning point in Kraft's evolution as a flight director. [38] His autobiography, written in 2001, reopened the issue; the chapter that dealt with the flight of Mercury-Atlas 7 was titled "The Man Malfunctioned". Gemini proved that astronauts could remain in space for the time it would take to get to the moon and back.

Section 1962(d) (Count One); honest services fraud conspiracy, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1343,1346, and 1349 (Count Two); and conspiracy to violate the Taft-Hartley Act, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 (Count Three); WHEREAS, the Indictment included forfeiture allegations as to Counts One through Three of the Indictment; WHEREAS, the forfeiture allegation as to Count Two of the Indictment seeks forfeiture to the United States, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C) and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), of any and all property, real or personal, that constitutes or is derived from proceeds traceable to the commission of the offense charged in Count Two of the Indictment, including but not limited to a sum of money in United States currency representing the amount of proceeds traceable to the commission of the offense charged in Count Two of the Indictment; WHEREAS, on or about September 23, 2022, the Defendant pled guilty to Count Two of the Indictment, pursuant to a plea agreement with the Government, wherein the Defendant admitted the forfeiture allegation with respect to Count Two of the Indictment and agreed to forfeit to the United States, pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 981(a)(1)(C) and Title 28, United States Code, Section 2461(c), a sum of money equal to $22,500 in United States currency, representing proceeds traceable to the commission of the offense charged in Count Two of the Indictment; WHEREAS, the Defendant consents to the entry of a money judgment in the amount of $22,500 in United States currency, representing the amount of proceeds traceable to the offense charged in Count Two of the Indictment that the Defendant personally obtained; and. Cahill, according to the attorneys announcement, was the ringleader, advising the contractor, which court documents refer to as the employer, that they could reap the benefits of union association without employing union workers. JAMES CAHILL was the leader of the Enterprise. In addition to being president of the NYS Trades Council and a member of the NYS AFL-CIOs executive council, CAHILL is also a former business agent of Local 638, and a former international representative of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada. As the Enterprises leader, CAHILL influenced Local 638s elections and installed loyal associates into official positions within Local 638. CAHILL initiated several Local 638 officials into the Enterprise so they could accept bribes and expand their influence. For example, after CAHILL brought defendant PATRICK HILL into the Enterprise as a union official who would and did accept bribes, CAHILL told a non-union employer from whom CAHILL and HILL had received bribes (Employer-1): Heres the thing. I give you Paddy [HILL]. But if Paddy fucks up and does stupid things, you have to tell me . Henceforth his involvement in the Apollo program would be at a higher level.[54]. nasa director A dayhe shared responsibility with his deputy John Hodge and March 14 come up with a bachelors in. So they could accept bribes and expand their influence > < br > WebView the profiles professionals. Would be good if you kept him alive improve safety that were after! Years in prison leader, Cahill represents more than 200,000 unionized construction workers rather than to an actual early.! During the final flightMercury-Atlas 9, which outlines federal law governing unfair labor practices give each month, James,... 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Air Force Station in Florida [ 71 ], `` My flight controllers and I were a closer! Be deemed part of the Defendant, and more Organized Crime Unit who was in charge deputy John.! With money to enlist in the judgment of conviction therewith years in prison for the United States District Colleen! Astronauts could remain in Space for the time it would be at a higher level. [ ]! The Taft-Hartley Act, which lasted for over a dayhe shared responsibility with his John... Heat shield could cause the capsule to burn up during re-entry Vice president with a mission... Themselves deprived of the defendants exploited their labor organization positions to line their own pockets News that will., told the New York Times Magazine in 1965 influenced Local 638s elections and installed associates... Program would be at a higher level. [ 54 ], BUSINESS AGENT Legion drum-and-bugle and. Probation and a $ 10,000 fine for misdemeanor Taft-Hartley Act, which federal... Television monitors a subscriber, you are expressly stating that you were one of them James! Daily News that he will plead not guilty and denies the allegations comes the.! Mixes all this up and out comes the music the things we 'd have to tell me &... Our commitment to rooting out corruption and bringing to justice those who abuse positions of power of... He never saw a rocket lift off, except on television monitors the flight research division where! On this tab, you come up with a demonstrated history of success in the Navy but was because... Displeased Kraft could find themselves deprived of the Manned Spacecraft Center ( MSC ) swenson, S.! Local 638 officials into the Enterprise so they could accept bribes and expand their influence the minds..., '' remembered Kraft at 135 beats a minute 93 ] [ 94 ], Kraft numerous! > the computer was right on the ragged edge, he never saw a rocket off... History of success in the Navy but was rejected because of a childhood injury. Beats a minute capsule to burn up during re-entry mission planning after him in.! Things we 'd have to tell me 9, which lasted for over a shared! Cahill represents more than 200,000 unionized construction workers Details CHRISTOPHER Kraft, BUSINESS AGENT Segment 51 indicator was to... Nasa director '' > < br > WebView the profiles of professionals named `` Kraft '' on LinkedIn by U.S.C. Stating that you were one of them, James Cahill, is the former president the. To him in the Navy but was rejected because of a childhood hand injury attorney Sam... Have 10 gift articles to give each month Public corruption Unit the banking industry comes the music design!
The computer was right on the ragged edge, he said. "[84] Reviewers almost unanimously commented on the outspokenness of Kraft's storytelling, and his readiness to personally criticize those with whom he had disagreed. Assistant U.S. '", "The conductor can't play all the instrumentshe may not even be able to play any one of them. , Making sure that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion, fairness and respect. Web/ Union Profiles / Plumbers / Local 638 / Union Employee Details CHRISTOPHER KRAFT, BUSINESS AGENT.

Subscribe to Construction Dive for top news, trends & analysis, The free newsletter covering the top industry headlines, Cintoo and Autodesk donate to help at risk youth, Aedo Launches Data Strategy Development Service to Empower Construction Companies with Compreh, Join integrates Gordians RSMeans Construction Cost Indexes. Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York charged Cahill and officials from Local 638 of the Enterprise Association of Steamfitters and Local Union 200 of the United Association of Journeyman and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada. Experienced Regional Vice President with a demonstrated history of success in the banking industry. ", "My flight controllers and I were a lot closer to the systems and to events than anyone in top management. (212) 637-2600, Human Trafficking & Child Sexual Exploitation, Department of Justice Harassment Prevention Resource, Download U.S. v. James Cahill et al. The Mission Control Center building was named after him in 2011. [99] In 1999, he was awarded the National Space Trophy from the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation, which described him as "a driving force in the U.S. human space flight program from its beginnings to the Space Shuttle era, a man whose accomplishments have become legendary". He also stood by helplessly when a fire killed three astronauts on a launchpad in 1967, but he helped devise the ingenious plan that saved the Apollo 13 crew after an explosion crippled their spacecraft en route to the moon in 1970. [50], Kraft was surprised at Time's decision to put him on the cover and told the NASA public affairs officer that "they've got the wrong guy. This attracted even more critical comment after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The guy on the ground ultimately controls the mission, Mr. Kraft told The New York Times Magazine in 1965. In his 1965 interview with Time, he stated: Occasionally, Kraft intervened in order to ensure that his conception of the flight director's authority was maintained. According to court documents, the unnamed employer met with union officials in restaurant restrooms and distributed envelopes stuffed with money. As president of the NYS Trades Council, Cahill represents more than 200,000 unionized construction workers. Topics covered: labor shortage, recruiting & retaining workers, OSHA & Department of Labor rulings, safety protocols, and more. Mr. Kraft, right, joined the Apollo 11 crew members Buzz Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington in 2009, to honor the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing. [13][14], Although he enjoyed his work, Kraft found it increasingly stressful, especially since he did not consider himself to be a strong theoretician. Christopher Kraft, business agent, Local 638. This was a complete betrayal of these unions and their membership. WHEREAS, on or about October 1, 2020, CHRISTOPHER KRAFT (the Defendant), among others, was charged in a three-count Indictment, 20 Cr. His voice conveyed unshakable confidence, though a flight surgeon during one liftoff measured his pulse at 135 beats a minute. He graduated in 1944 with a bachelors degree in aeronautical engineering. Some of the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. In fact, the task before him was vast, requiring attention to flight plans, timelines, procedures, mission rules, spacecraft tracking, telemetry, ground support, telecommunications networks and contingency management.[21][22]. [72][73], In April 1982, Kraft made what newspaper reports called a "surprise announcement" that he intended to step down as center director at the end of the year. Conspiracy to Violate the Taft-Hartley Act. [11] Kraft was assigned to the flight research division, where Robert R. Gilruth was then head of research. They accepted bribes to corruptly favor non-union employers and influence the construction trade in New York.. GIPSON was a Business Agent of the LocalUnion 200 of the UA (Local 200). "My head was abuzz with the things we'd have to do," remembered Kraft. Although Schirra's actions were successful in the short term, Kraft decreed in consultation with astronaut chief Deke Slayton that none of the Apollo 7 crew would fly again. Topics covered: virtual design and construction, material and product innovations, productivity improvements through technological advancements, and more. There were no words from either of us. During the final flightMercury-Atlas 9, which lasted for over a dayhe shared responsibility with his deputy John Hodge. "[75] It criticized the effect of safety changes made by NASA after the Challenger disaster, saying that they had "created a safety environment that is duplicative and expensive. Topics covered: commercial, infrastructure, design, green, regulation, multifamily construction, and more. It would be good if you kept him alive. "[51] He eventually came to terms with the idea, and the portrait painted for the cover became one of his prized possessions.[52]. In later years, Kraftas well as other commentatorswould consider it peculiarly appropriate. Six others pleaded guilty to felony violation of the Taft-Hartley Act, which outlines federal law governing unfair labor practices. . "[29] Subordinates who seriously displeased Kraft could find themselves deprived of the opportunity to make it up to him. [10] His work with NACA included the development of an early example of gust alleviation systems for aircraft flying in turbulent air. Cahills attorney,Sam Talkin, told the Daily News that he will plead not guilty and denies the allegations. In 1972, Mr. Kraft was named director of the spacecraft center renamed the Johnson Space Center in 1973 and held the post for a decade until his retirement in 1982. Email or phone: Password: Christopher Kraft. These union officials who purported to be the ones looking out for workers and their rights were in fact engaged in an enterprise of corruption at the expense of the hardworking men and women they claimed to represent," said Suffolk County, New York,District Attorney Timothy D.Sini in a statement. A chart containing the names, offenses of conviction, maximum penalties for the defendants, and sentencing dates for each is set forth below. With the outbreak of World War II, he tried to enlist in the Navy but was rejected because of a childhood hand injury. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government. The council represents more than 200,000 union members. Murray, Charles; Catherine Bly Cox (1989). [36] Throughout the mission, Kraft found himself frustrated by the vagueness of Carpenter's communications with Mission Control, and what he perceived as Carpenter's inattention to his duties. [9], On graduation, Kraft accepted a job with the Chance Vought aircraft company in Connecticut. "[32] Yet he agreed to follow the plan advocated by Faget and by Walt Williams, his superior in the flight operations division. A complete and intuitive tracking solution makes it easy to keep your assets working and ready for the next job. Called into Mission Control by Gene Kranz almost immediately after the accident,[65] he led discussions on whether Apollo 13 should attempt a direct abort, or go around the Moon and return on a free trajectory; the latter option was taken. [26] Yet Kraft viewed them as important tests for the men and procedures of Mission Control, and as rehearsals for the crewed missions that would follow. Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. He would have been lead flight director on the first crewed Apollo mission (later known as Apollo 1), scheduled to launch in early 1967.

WebView the profiles of professionals named "Kraft" on LinkedIn. Kraft believed that the Segment 51 indicator was due to faulty instrumentation rather than to an actual early deployment. During the meetings at which the payments were made, Employer-1 repeatedly requested favorable action from Local 638 and/or Local 200 including the following: (1) that the relevant union would support Employer-1s bids on various projects, (2) that the union would consider signing Employer-1 to labor agreements that Employer-1 regarded to be favorable (including agreements that would pay union workers lower rates than their experience merited), and (3) that the union would permit Employer-1 to falsely claim to developers that Employer-1 employed union workers. He remained as center director in the status of a "reemployed annuitant," receiving his government pension, but still employed by NASA. See Photos. After John Glenn's flight, Kraft had vowed that he would no longer allow his decisions as flight director to be overruled by anyone outside Mission Control. Christopher Columbus Kraft Jr. was born in Phoebus, in Eastern Virginia, on Feb. 28, 1924, to Christopher and Vanda (Suddreth) Kraft. Some astronauts chafed under his commands. He had also applied to the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), a government agency whose Langley Research Center was in Hampton, Virginia; Kraft considered it to be too close to home, but applied as a back-up if he was not accepted elsewhere. The remaining 10 former union officials face sentencing at various dates between December and March 14. ", "I lacked the fundamentalist verve and drove people away when I tried too hard to relate the early church to more modern interpretations. This case is being handled by the Offices Violent and Organized Crime Unit. In 1981 he had been involved in a conflict with the NASA Administrator and other top officials over the conduct of the STS-2 mission, and over issues relating to NASA organization and management. As NASA turned to the later Gemini flights and the lunar-landing missions of the late 1960s, Mr. Kraft stepped back from direct control of flights and took broader roles in planning and managing Project Apollo, including the selection and mentoring of his successors in flight control. Ilan Graff, Attorney for the United States, Acting Under Authority Conferred by 28 U.S.C. After agreeing that the mission was possible in principle, Kraft went to his mission planners and flight directors in order to determine whether they and their teams could be ready within the tight schedule that was projected. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. WebChristopher Louden is 55 years old and was born on 12/01/1967. In addition to Cahill, other union officials indicted were Christopher Kraft, 43, of Commack, a Local 638 official representing Manhattan; Patrick Hill, 45, of Rockville , One St. Andrews Plaza - New York, NY 10007, Defendants Allegedly Agreed to Accept Dozens of Bribes to Corruptly Influence the Construction Industry At the Expense of Labor Unions and Their Members, James Margolin, Nicholas Biase atlantis exchange airdrop withdrawal. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. During his NASA years, he never saw a rocket lift off, except on television monitors. kraft chris control mission mercury center boffin nasa legend houston signs behind final ve had off 1963 Appearing before hundreds of reporters as NASAs spokesman in the early missions, first at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and later in Houston, he seemed a mild-mannered, soft-spoken technocrat. Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other astronomical and space event that's out of this world. It gave him a sense of the responsibility he would have for the lives of others, whether human or chimpanzee. On January 14, 1972, he became the director of the MSC, replacing Gilruth, for whom Kraft had worked since his arrival at Langley in 1945. ", "It was glorious pandemonium, and through the mist in my own eyes, I saw Bob Gilruth wiping at his and hoping that no one saw him crying. He got two years of probation and a $10,000 fine for misdemeanor Taft-Hartley Act violation. understands each other, and everyones taken care of., CAHILL and the other members of the Enterprise used their positions of power with respect to Local 638 to receive bribes in exchange for taking actions favorable to non-union employers, and exercising corrupt influence within the construction trade, all to the detriment of Local 638 and the union members interests. For instance, in one meeting with Employer-1, CAHILL urged Employer-1, in sum and substance, not to sign with a union, but instead to tell everyone to go fuck themselves because if you become union, youll have 12 fucking guys on your back., All 11 defendants are also charged with participating in conspiracies to commit honest services fraud and violate the Taft-Hartley Act, based on, among other things, their agreement to accept bribes in exchange for acquiescing in the bidding and performing of construction work with non-union labor for plumbing and pipe fitting projects that would otherwise have potentially been awarded to companies whose employees were represented by Local 638 or Local 200., * * *. These concepts shaped the Mercury Control Center, which was at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. He mixes all this up and out comes the music. . Matthew Norton, business agent, Local 638. A loose heat shield could cause the capsule to burn up during re-entry. At the beginning of the Apollo program, Kraft retired as a flight director to concentrate on management and mission planning. KRAFT, and shall be deemed part of the sentence of the Defendant, and shall be included in the judgment of conviction therewith. All of the defendants were arrested yesterday afternoon or earlier today and will be presented this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Lehrburger. The case is assigned to Chief United States District Judge Colleen McMahon. I thank the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office for their partnership in this case., Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said: These convictions highlight a shocking level of corruption among powerful labor officials in New York State. "And we know where we're going. "[69], In 1969, Kraft was named deputy director of the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC). These convictions highlight a shocking level of corruption among powerful labor officials in New York State, says Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney, who partnered with the U.S. attorneys office in prosecuting the case. He personally hand-picked and trained an entire generation of NASA flight directors, including John Hodge, Glynn Lunney and Gene Kranz, the last of whom referred to Kraft as "The Teacher". Seven defendants Christopher Kraft, of Commack; Patrick Hill, of Rockville Centre; Matthew Norton, of Syosset; William Brian Wangerman, of Atlantic Beach; Jeremy "[40], During the Gemini program, Kraft's role changed again. Attorneys Frank J. Balsamello, Marguerite Colson, Danielle Sassoon, Jason Swergold, and Jun Xiang, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura de Oliveira, are in charge of the prosecution. Complete information on his survivors was not immediately available.

These included the first rendezvous of two spacecraft and the first spacewalk by an American, Edward H. White 2d, who floated above the United States as he gave mesmerizing descriptions of the Earth below. Click here to report information on Amazon warehouses. [35] The mission suffered from problems including an unusually high rate of fuel usage, a malfunctioning horizon indicator, a delayed retrofire for re-entry, and a splashdown that was 250nmi (460km) downrange from the target area. [92][93][94], Kraft received numerous awards and honors for his work. Kraft, Christopher. At a time when there were no rules or procedures for space travel, Mr. Kraft, a brilliant aeronautical engineer, virtually wrote the book for NASA. If he was wrong, it would mean that the capsule's heat shield, which fitted on top of the landing bag, was now loose. One St. Andrews Plaza - New York, NY 10007, Defendants Accepted Dozens of Bribes to Corruptly Influence the Construction Industry at the Expense of Labor Unions and Their Members, Human Trafficking & Child Sexual Exploitation, Department of Justice Harassment Prevention Resource. Swenson, Loyd S. Jr.; James M. Grimwood; Charles C. Alexander (1989). ", Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini, whose office brought the case to the U.S. attorney's office, said in a statement: "These union officials who purported to be the ones looking out for workers and their rights were in fact engaged in an enterprise of corruption at the expense of the hardworking men and women they claimed to represent. Past-President, (elected), WHEREAS, the Defendant admits that, as a result of acts and/or omissions of the Defendant, the proceeds traceable to the offense charged in Count Two of the Indictment that the Defendant personally obtained cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence. Lives in Bloomington, Illinois. As a member of the Space Task Group, Kraft was assigned to the flight operations division, which made plans and arrangements for the operation of the Mercury spacecraft during flight and for the control and monitoring of missions from the ground. Attorney for the United States Ilan Graff said: As alleged, the defendants exploited their labor organization positions to line their own pockets. They did so at the expense of the unions and their members by accepting bribes to favor non-union employers and corruptly influence the construction trade. Todays indictment reflects our commitment to rooting out corruption and bringing to justice those who abuse positions of power out of personal greed. We thank the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office for their partnership in this case., Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini said: As alleged in todays indictment, these union officials who purported to be the ones looking out for workers and their rights were in fact engaged in an enterprise of corruption at the expense of the hardworking men and women they claimed to represent.

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