Contempt charges against ex-Teamster official dropped

Criminal contempt charges against former Teamster official William Hogan, of Arlington Heights, were dismissed.

The charges against Hogan were dropped as part of a deferred prosecution agreement last week by federal prosecutors.

Hogan, 67, once headed up Teamster Local 714, whose membership included trade show workers at Rosemont's Stephens Convention Center and Chicago's McCormick Place and drivers for movies and TV shows filmed in Chicago.

The Independent Review Board, established in 1989 to stamp out corruption and organized crime influence in the Teamsters, removed Hogan from his post in 2002, charging him with helping nonunion Las Vegas trade show workers secure jobs against union interests. Hogan's son, Robert, then took over Teamster Local 714. The unit disbanded last year, according to a statement from Hogan spokesman George Bogdanich,

Besides expulsion from the union, William Hogan was prohibited from having contact with its members or speaking to them about union business.

Federal prosecutors say he defied that ban. They charged Hogan with contempt about three years ago, claiming he spoke with four Teamster friends, including one he has known for more than 50 years, said Bogdanich. Those men were subsequently expelled as well, Bogdanich said.

Hogan fought the charges, claiming the ban curtailed his right to free speech and due process.

Hogan has "mixed feelings" about the ruling, which Bogdanich described as a "limited victory."

"On the one hand, the government has dropped charges against him and he's grateful for that. The problem is these rules are still in place that prevent free speech between individuals who have been removed by the IRB, and current (union) members," Bogdanich said.

If Hogan does not violate the terms of the agreement, his record will be expunged in a year, said Bogdanich, adding that Hogan has no involvement in union business.