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Maritime union leaders found guilty of corruption

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published January 7, 2007

FORT LAUDERDALE - Two national maritime union leaders who used union funds for personal luxuries were found guilty Friday of corruption.

Brothers Michael and Robert McKay were found guilty of racketeering and several lesser charges stemming from their time as president and secretary-treasurer, respectively, of American Maritime Officers.

In addition to the racketeering charge, which carries a possible 20-year sentence, Michael McKay, 59, was convicted of three counts of mail fraud and two record-keeping offenses. Robert McKay, 56, was convicted of two counts of mail fraud and embezzlement, and two record-keeping offenses.

Prosecutors said the brothers ran the union like it belonged to them and used it to pay for personal luxuries such as a bachelor party and repairs for a dive boat.

Defense attorneys said they were shocked by how quickly the jury reached a decision.

"I can't read the jurors' minds, but they certainly didn't have time to go through all of the evidence in the case," said attorney Neal Sonnett.

Lawyer Fred Haddad, who represents Robert McKay, said he would ask U.S. District Judge James Cohn to order a new trial.

The swift verdict capped a six-year government investigation that started when a top union official came forward with allegations of illegal campaign donations, embezzlement and mismanagement of the union's benefit plans.

The McKays remain free on bail until their sentencing March 29.

It is unclear what the guilty verdicts mean for leadership of the 4,000-member labor union, which represents top workers on commercial vessels.

During the trial, Robert McKay was voted out of office. Michael McKay was re-elected president by 20 votes.

Labor laws prohibit felons from holding union office.

[Last modified January 7, 2007, 01:13:10]