Indiana Ironworkers Used Threats to Extort Jobs (Allegedly)

Two men affiliated with Ironworkers Local 395 were charged with labor-related extortion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana through one count of the Hobbs Act Extortion conspiracy and two counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion. The Hobbs Act prohibits actual or attempted robbery or extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce. The statute is frequently used in corruption cases involving labor union members.

The indictment alleges that the Ironworkers local president and business agent used actual violence and threats of violence in an attempt to extort labor contracts from unnamed owners of two companies that hire Ironworkers.

Matt Austin owns Austin Legal, LLC, a boutique law firm based in Ohio that limits its representation to employers dealing with labor, employment, and OSHA matters. You can reach Matt by calling him at (614) 843-3041 or emailing him at Matt@MattAustinLaborLaw.com.