The Nation - News from Aug. 19, 1987

Twelve construction union bosses were arrested for running what New York City and federal authorities said was a major racketeering enterprise that shook down more than a dozen Long Island companies over the last six years. Also arrested as a result of a 97-count indictment returned in Brooklyn were executives of eight firms that allegedly cooperated willingly or were forced to cooperate with the operation. Union leaders extorted more than $300,000 from at least 12 construction projects in Queens and on Long Island since 1981, said Thomas Sheer, who heads the FBI’s New York office.