Trial of Ex-Teamsters Leader Gets Underway

Jury selection began in New York in the trial of former Teamsters President Ron Carey on federal charges of lying about the diversion of $885,000 in union funds for his 1996 reelection campaign.

Carey, 64, is accused of making false statements to a grand jury, a review board and investigators.

Carey’s victory over James P. Hoffa was overturned after investigators found that his campaign had indirectly used union money. Unions are not allowed to use their own money to fund elections for union members.

If convicted, he faces up to 35 years in prison.