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The head of a powerful construction union group allegedly doubled as the leader of a bribery scheme that benefited non-union workers and rigged union elections.

James Cahill, president of the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council,  was among nine construction union officials indicted Thursday on charges of racketeering, bribery and fraud. Two other union officials were charged with fraud and bribery.

“What I love about Jimmy — what I fucking love about Jimmy, and I say this to everybody. He takes care of his friends,” Kevin McCarron, a Brooklyn and Staten Island business agent with Local 638, told the non-union plumber, according to the indictment.

Representatives for the BCTC and Local 638 could not immediately be reached for comment.

Cahill also enlisted Patrick Hill, a business agent with Local 638 in Nassau County, according to the indictment. Cahill allegedly instructed Hill to meet with the non-union plumber, who provided each with a $2,500 bribe. During a subsequent phone call, secretly intercepted by federal authorities, Cahill told Hill “welcome to the real world.”

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https://therealdeal.com/2020/10/02/head-of-ny-construction-union-accused-of-leading-bribery-scheme/#:~:text=James%20Cahill%2C%20president%20of%20the,of%20racketeering%2C%20bribery%20and%20fraud.&text=The%20indictment%20included%20portions%20of,officials%2C%20which%20were%20secretly%20recorded.