Head of Nation's Largest Municipal Labor Council Arrested in NYC

The New York Sun reports:

NEW YORK (AP) - A seven-term Democratic state assemblyman who also is president of the nation's largest municipal labor council was arrested on federal racketeering charges Tuesday, accused of stealing more than $2 million from the state, labor unions and even a Little League fund.

Brian M. McLaughlin, 54, was accused in an indictment of stealing money from several organizations in which he held official positions. He and his associates allegedly stole money from labor unions, the state of New York and not-for-profit groups.

Mr. McLaughlin has been under investigation for several years.

He is president of the labor council, an umbrella group of unions that has supported Mayor Bloomberg.

According to a 186-page indictment unsealed Tuesday, Mr. McLaughlin and others from 1995 through 2006 engaged in racketeering by using money collected for union activities to instead pay personal expenses, including credit card bills, rent and home improvements.

Great moments in coercered labor.