In one exchange cited in the indictment, two defendants allegedly discussed putting the children of university officials “on my hit list” and spoke openly about wanting to “kill,” “torment,” and “terrorize” their targets.
The latest convictions are not just a story about corruption. They are a reminder that any organization handling millions of dollars collected from workers must be accountable to the people paying the bills.
In each case, officials entrusted with safeguarding worker dues were accused or convicted of treating those funds as their own. Every dollar stolen by a corrupt official is a dollar taken from a teacher, firefighter, police officer, nurse, or public employee who earned it through hard work.
Contracts negotiated with the United Teachers Los Angeles have historically made it difficult to remove educators accused of misconduct quickly, even when allegations are credible.
Teachers often spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of their own pockets on classroom supplies. Meanwhile, union leaders are funding political machines.
When a union spends its time training educators to see parents and policymakers as adversaries rather than partners, it erodes trust in public education.
