Union boss Browne, sister guilty

[Freddie Stubbs]

Jurors convicted Broward union chief Walter Browne of taking payments from companies to keep their employees out of the union -- the National Federation of Public and Private Employees.

By NOAH BIERMAN AND ERIKA BOLSTAD

[e-mail]


The federal government finally took down Broward County's most powerful labor leader Wednesday when a jury convicted Walter Browne of running his union like an organized crime ring.

Browne, a bear of a man whose confident handshake gripped many of Broward County's elite, sat slently as guilty verdicts were declared on eight of 15 counts of racketeering and related charges.

Browne left the courtroom to smoke a cigarette and consult with his lawyers, but declined to comment on the outcome.

The union boss has been under federal scrutiny for most of two decades, beating off two previous attempts to throw him in prison while cultivating close friendships with Broward's political and business elite.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8823704.htm

[dryan]

1. Just want organized labor needs right now

Another union official found guilty of malfeasence. This on top of the teacher union scandal in Dade County.