Richard Griffin, whom President Obama illegally appointed to the National Labor Relations Board, never had to answer a single question from U.S. senators – or even file the standard paperwork for nominees – prior to assuming his post in January.
Because of Obama’s unconstitutional non-recess appointment, Griffin’s connections to numerous International Union of Operating Engineers locals with extensive criminal rap sheets were never explored. In January, Scribe documented how Griffin blocked efforts to reform corrupt chapters of the IUOE as its general counsel.
Now, seven months after the non-recess appointment, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is looking for answers to those questions. In a letter to Griffin sent on Wednesday, Hatch asks for information about his relationship with the numerous IUOE workers who have either been tied to mob activity or were convicted of crimes during Griffin’s tenure at the union.
While Griffin did not personally represent any of those criminals, he did, as we noted in January, advance policies that made it more difficult for rank-and-file union members to challenge corrupt leaders in local elections. Those policies “make it difficult for a lot of guys to speak up,” explained Mike Quigley, who failed to unseat a boss of IUOE Local 150 who three years later was indicted for violations of federal labor law.
Griffin will face normal confirmation proceedings later this year, as required for recess-appointed officials one year after their appointments.
Read Hatch’s letter in full:
This is just more evidence of the fact that Obama does not care about justice, or the rights of the people. He again has appointed people who do not belong in ANY position of power, much less in charge in Washington. This is a criminal act and botn Obama and Griffin should be removed from office for this abuse of power.
America wants answers on the NLRB! If America can't hold people accountable to the responsibilities their tax paid job entails using conflicts of interest to abuse government positions bearing crimes on the people, all government entities must be removed entirely! This doesn't represent America!!!!! It's sad that America has to demand honor and integrity from those who choose to work for Americans and at our costs they can all agree regardless of work ethics and it's non existence! How unfair acceptable standards of government workers are so low they can lack honor and integrity to the point of criminal behavior while they attempt to go without facing the rightful punishment to remove and the jail time they deserve so the costs of their wages can go back to it's rightful owner that makes an honest living to earn a way of life without infringing government or control over anyone else. The way America is founded to operate and government is suppose to respect to govern, obviously constitutionally limited!
I'm old enough to remember when Sen. Hatch was a man of integrity, respected by members of both parties. All one needs to read in order to learn that he no longer deserves even a shred of respect is his childish use of the letter's recipient's address, along with the end of the letter's first paragraph.
The GOP 'mob' blocked appointments to the NLRB and then they cry like babies when President Obama legally appoints a pro-union representative. Remember the Pullman strike? Can you say bite back times 99%? Idiots.