Ex-Teamster Leader Williams’ Sentence Reduced to 10 Years

Former Teamsters Union President Roy L. Williams, who is reported to be in poor health, was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison for trying to bribe a U.S. senator in an effort to kill a trucking deregulation bill.

U.S. District Judge Prentice H. Marshall originally had sentenced Williams to 55 years for his 1983 conviction on bribery charges but reduced the sentence because of medical reports on Williams’ emphysema and heart trouble. Williams is to report to the prison in Springfield, Mo., within 60 days.

Williams, 70, was convicted of trying to bribe former Sen. Howard W. Cannon (D-Nev.) with a land deal in exchange for help in defeating the deregulation measure.

“I hope God strikes me down right here, but not one word was said in that senator’s office about a bribe,” Williams told the court.

Sitting in a wheelchair and breathing with the aid of a respirator, Williams said he has lost all interest in living.