Bus drivers union boss admits shakedowns

Salvatore "Hot Dogs" Battaglia (right), 60, admitted last week to extorting three New York-area bus companies out of tens of thousands of dollars, according to a story by Thomas Zambito and Greg B. Smith of the New York Daily News. The admission came just days before Battaglia was scheduled to go on trial for racketeering.

Battaglia served as president of the 15,000-member Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Workers union. He faces between 57 and 71 months in prison when sentenced on May 16.

A federal investigation into the local's activities resulted in charges against Battaglia, other union officials and Genovese Crime Family bigshot Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello. An independent investigation of the union local decided that "organized crime has infiltrated and controlled it."

Ianniello acknowledged in 2006 that he had arranged illegal payoffs for the union leadership. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Ann Chiarovano, who served as the local's pension fund director, pleaded guilty to lying to federal agents about mob influence in the union local. She was sentenced last January to five months in prison. Julius "Spike" Bernstein, secretary-treasurer of Local 1181, pleaded guilty to racketeering charges and cooperated with the federal investigation.

Probe found mob behind NYC school bus union

An independent probe of a 15,000-member school bus drivers union in New York City has uncovered evidence that "organized crime has infiltrated and controlled" it, according to a story by Steven Greenhouse of the New York Times.

A report written by independent counsel Richard W. Mark in January was made public yesterday by some members of Local 1181 of the Amalgamated Transit Union. That report indicated that top union officials were engaged in extortion, kickbacks and bribes.

Former president of the local, Salvatore Battaglia, is facing federal trial on extortion charges and bribery. Battaglia has pleaded not guity to the charges. Secretary-Treasurer Julius Bernstein was forced to resign as he pleaded guilty to obstructing justice.

Matthew "Matty the Horse" Ianniello (left), reputed ex-boss of the Genovese Crime Family, acknowledged a year ago that he arranged illegal payoffs for the union leadership. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice.