2020 Dems to Attend Forum Hosted by Scandal-Plagued Union

Top Democrat presidential hopefuls will attend a Teamsters candidate forum hosted by union head James Hoffa Jr., despite longstanding allegations of corruption under his leadership.

Hoffa, son of infamous labor leader Jimmy Hoffa, has faced numerous accusations of corruption both internally and from federal investigators since he was first elected general president in 1998. A 2004 investigation of the Chicago Teamsters brought forth allegations of rampant corruption, including mob influence and kickback schemes. Recently, Hoffa confidante and union leader John Coli pleaded guilty to extorting a Chicago film studio, threatening worker strikes if the company refused to make quarterly payments of $25,000.

Despite the union's history, top Democrat presidential candidates are wooing Hoffa for his endorsement. Former vice president Joe Biden, South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.), and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) will attend a Saturday forum hosted by the labor leader and live-streamed by the U.K.-based Guardian. According to Hoffa, candidates are expected to "tell Teamsters directly why they are the leader who will effectively push" for pro-union policies.

More here