Former FCA Executive and Wife of Former UAW Vice President Charged in Scheme to Pay Off Union Officials

WASHINGTON – A multi-agency investigation has led to a federal grand jury indictment of the former Vice President for Employee Relations for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC.

Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel L. Lemisch announced that Alphons Iacobelli, 57, of Rochester Hills, Michigan, was charged with criminal violations of the Labor Management Relations Act. Charges include taking part in a multiyear conspiracy to pay and deliver prohibited money and things of value to officers and employees of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Workers of America.

Also charged was Monica Morgan, 54, of Harrison Township, Michigan. Allegations against Morgan include conspiring with Iacobelli and others to violate the Labor Management Relations Act. Morgan is the wife of former UAW Vice President General Holiefield, who died in March of 2015.

Joining in the announcement were: Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office of the FBI, David P. Gelios; Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit office of the IRS – Criminal Investigations, Manny Muriel; Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, James Vanderberg; and District Director of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards, Ian Burg.

“OLMS places a high priority on combatting financial malfeasance and safeguarding financial integrity in labor unions,” said Burg. “This indictment leaves no question as to the agency’s commitment to seek justice when anyone puts personal financial gain ahead of the best interests of union members.”

“An important mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations relating to Labor Racketeering and prohibited payments between union and company officials,” stated Vanderberg. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations.”

In a press release, Acting U.S. Attorney Lemisch commended the outstanding work of the FBI, the IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General and its Office of Labor-Management Standards in conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into labor corruption activities involving a vital sector of the local and national economy.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.