Former California Supreme Court Justice Joseph Grodin to Review Facts and Make Recommendation to International

LOS ANGELES--With former California Supreme Court Justice Joseph Grodin presiding as outside hearing officer, a hearing will open today in the matter involving the trusteeship of Los Angeles-based Local 6434.  After the hearing and an extended comment period, Justice Grodin will provide a report and recommendation to SEIU's International Executive Board on whether the trusteeship should be continued.

On August 22, International President Andy Stern appointed John Ronches to serve as Trustee for Local 6434 following allegations of possible financial malpractice, including questionable expenses, payments to companies owned by relatives of Local Union President Tyrone Freeman, payments of unauthorized compensation to the Local Union President, and the failure to properly safeguard the funds of non-profit organizations related to the Local.  Following an internal investigation assisted by former California Attorney General John Van de Kamp, Ronches filed formal charges against Freeman last month.

The hearing process follows long-established internal union practices and is designed to ensure a fair process providing all of the parties with the opportunity to address the allegations in the Hearing Notice.

Justice Grodin served on California's high court from 1979-1987.  He is currently a Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the University of California, Hastings College of Law.