Feds investigating labor figure's book deal

The L.A. Times reports:

Federal investigators who have examined a consulting agreement between the Service Employees International Union and a former Los Angeles labor official also have questioned people about a book deal that paid a six-figure advance to Andy Stern, the recently retired president of SEIU who now sits on President Obama's deficit reduction commission, sources have told The Times.

According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secretive nature of the inquiry, the investigators were focused primarily on other SEIU matters but were interested in the book transaction because the union helped research and promote the 2006 publication, "A Country That Works," and then bought it in bulk.

Stern and SEIU representatives have denied any wrongdoing and say he is not under investigation. Federal authorities have declined to comment.

Imagine that.