Labor Unions Have Short Memory Regarding Liz Crowley

It is a shame that unions continue to make blind endorsements without really understanding the ramifications of their support. The Patriots just read that Long Tall Lizzy has received some union support despite her "involvement" with one of the biggest looters (Brian McLaughlin) of union funds in recent history. We felt it our duty to remind our labor friends that birds of a feather do lay eggs together. One of his close political pals is former City Council candidate Elizabeth Crowley, the 28-year-old cousin of Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.).

McLaughlin ran her unsuccessful campaign in 2001, going door to door urging constituents to vote for her, one source said. Elizabeth Crowley has worked as a public-school teacher, decorator and painter.


DIRTY CASH OFPOL-LOOTER
FEDS: HE PLUNDERED $2M FROM UNION - & LITTLE LEAGUE
By KATI CORNELL, SELIM ALGAR and MARSHA KRANES


October 18, 2006 -- Labor leader and Queens state Assemblyman Brian McLaughlin lined his pockets with more than $2.2 million by ripping off the state, his union, his political club, his campaign, contractors and even a Little League program, prosecutors charged yesterday.
McLaughlin, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, was hit with 44 charges, including racketeering, mail and bank fraud, embezzlement, money-laundering and labor bribery. A federal indictment charges him with receiving $400,000 in payments and other items from companies that employed Electrical Workers Union members he represented.

McLaughlin, 54, of Flushing is accused of using his ill-gotten gains to fund an opulent lifestyle. The feds say he spent some of his loot to help build a sprawling house in tony Nissequogue, L.I., to pay off credit-card bills and country-club initiation fees, to buy his wife an $80,000 Mercedes-Benz, and to pay for his son's wedding rehearsal.

Among those benefiting from the proceeds of his rip-offs were three women with whom he had "personal relationships," the indictment charges.

"This case lends new meaning to the term 'hand in the till,' " said U.S. Attorney Michael Garcia of the 186-page indictment.

McLaughlin surrendered at 8:35 a.m. and was released on $250,000 bail after a brief appearance in Manhattan before U.S. Magistrate Judge James Francis.

Asked how he pleaded, he told the judge, "Not guilty, Your Honor."

He declined to comment as he rushed from court into a waiting car.

If convicted of all charges, he faces up to 500 years in prison.