Pa. Convention Center sues Carpenters union for racketeering
Accusing the carpenters' union of "prolonged and coordinated violent, illegal, and extortionate conduct," the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Thursday filed a racketeering lawsuit against the union.
Accusing the carpenters' union of "prolonged and coordinated violent, illegal, and extortionate conduct," the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Thursday filed a racketeering lawsuit against the union.
"The complaint seeks to recover more than $1 million in damages inflicted on the [Authority] by the Carpenters union," the convention center's chief executive John McNichol said in a statement.
The Board considers these to be very serious charges as outlined in the complaint," he said.
The suit names union leader Edward Coryell and his son Edward Coryell Jr., along with various shop stewards and other unknown participants in various protests.
No comment was immediately available from the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters.
The lawsuit said union members intimidated center managers by videotaping them and disrupting shows with traffic-blocking protests.
Particularly highlighted in the lawsuit were alleged disruptions that occurred during the Philadelphia Auto Show in January.
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