Let's start with the "money laundering".  By law, the UAW PAC is limited to donating $5000 per candidate each election year.  But, they found a loop-hole.  What if the candidate had a couple of candidate committees?  Then, they could give the maximum to both.  And that's what they did for Sarah Roberts, who is running of State Representative in St. Clair Shores and Harrison Twp.

Just before Roberts filed to run for state office back in January, the UAW gave her $5,000 to her County Commissioner candidate committee.  Roberts then used those funds to pay for volunteers and flyers to be dropped in the neighborhoods.  Everyone knew she was running for State Representative, but what a cleaver maneuver.  (Roberts has also been fighting accusations from her Democratic rivals that she used to drive a non-union, Japanese-made Subaru, but I will have more on that story next week.)

Now, onto the "bribery".  Since the UAW has done a marvelous job of driving automotive jobs out of the state, they have had to venture in other areas of employment to keep up their membership dues.  So, some time ago, the assistant prosecutors of Macomb County became organized and recognized the UAW as their bargaining agent.  In July 2006, their contract was up for renewal with the Macomb County Board of Commissioners.  But, there was controversial clause that stated any current asst. prosecutor that wanted to run for County Prosecutor would need to resign to do so.  It became known as the "loyalty clause."  And all the Republican commissioners were against it and surprisingly several of the Democrats voiced their public descent as well.  

Then, entered the UAW PAC fund.  Prior to the vote, the UAW started cutting $5,000 checks to several Democrat incumbents on the board, who all voted for the contract.  In total, the UAW spent over $51,000 in one check writing session to get their contract passed.  Now, if the UAW gave the money directly to the commissioners, then that would legally be called a bribe.  But, since it went to a campaign account, that's ok.  Surprisingly, none of the Democratic commissioners who publicly said they were against the contract stated publicly why they were suddenly for it.

No discussion about the UAW can be complete without mentioning "gross malfeasance".  There are several examples of this, far too numerous to talk about here.  So, here are a few fun examples.

Let's start with Tom McVicar who was a candidate in 2006 for county commissioner in the Northern part of Macomb County.  The district is also the most Republican and most conservative part of Macomb County.  McVicar was so called "a name on the ballot" candidate.  It didn't appear he had any intention of running a campaign, until the UAW gave him a $5,000 check.  He had no other contributions and no campaign expenses, but all of sudden he had $5,000 in the bank.  So, he went out and bought some signs and some literature and spent about half of his jackpot.  But, he still lost by a 62% to 38% margin to the Republican incumbent.  But, I am sure the UAW felt it was money well spent.  

As for the other half of the money McVicar didn't spend on his campaign, he's been using it to pay for golf outings and tickets to attend other candidates' fundraisers.  While UAW members are losing their jobs, McVicar gets a free pass to golf, courtesy of the UAW.

More from the malfeasance category.  In 2007, Bev McFadyen and Ron Frederick, both non-union members, were campaigning for re-election to the St Clair Shores City Council.  They were facing strong opposition from a 40 year union member Jack Downey.  Now, there are no public employees represented by the UAW in St Clair Shores, so you would think that UAW would side with the life-long union guy.  But, nope, they didn't.  The UAW saw the need to donate two $2500 checks to McFayden and Fredericks.  You just got love the loyalty to the union label.

Last example for today of the malfeasance.  In 2004, the UAW gave a $2500 check to Bill Crouchman, who was running for County Commissioner.  But, did Crouchman use the money on literature or signs for his campaign?  Nope.  He went out and bought himself a computer.  Again, members are losing their jobs, but the UAW is paying for politicians to buy the latest technology.

And to finish up, here is some fun from outside Macomb County.  Back in December 2007, the UAW donated $17,000 to Detroit's finest Kwame Kilpatrick.  That was before we all became aware of the sex, lies and texts.  So, when it became known that Kwame was in trouble, the UAW kicked off a $17,000 donation to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy.  In the old gangster days, I believe that would have been called using some "spreading around money".  They had to make sure all their bases were covered.

In another discovery, prior to the 2006 election, the UAW transferred a huge $1.65 Million to the Michigan Democratic Party.  So, with the UAW in bed with Brewer and company in the Democratic Party and engaged in helping candidates that would never be in a position to benefit the union membership, no wonder it's a union in decline.  If you are an UAW member, you do have the power to stop this.  Call up payroll in your location and just simply stop your donations.  It is your right.

Special Note:  As of the time and date of this posting, all July 2008 reports have not been filed.  I will be submitting further entries as the latest reports become public.  Stay Tuned to RightMichigan.com