CHICAGO (AP) – A prominent leader in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union is accused of squeezing a business out of $100,000 and threatening to harm it financially if it refused to pay, according to a federal indictment handed down Wednesday by a grand jury in Chicago.
John T. Coli, who has wielded enormous political influence in his home state of Illinois, served as president of Teamsters Joint Council 25 during the alleged extortion scheme. It represents more than 100,000 workers in the Chicago area and in northwest Indiana.
The same day as the indictment, a news release from the union said the 57-year-old Coli, who lives in Chicago, is retiring from the Teamsters. He has been affiliated with the powerful union for more than 45 years.
The release didn’t mention his indictment.
Coli faces one count of attempted extortion, and five of demanding and accepting a prohibited payment as a union official. He could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted on the extortion charge. The maximum sentence for each of the other counts is five years behind bars.