Providence Journal

 

U.S. Sues Trustees of Union Plan

 

DAVID McPHERSON

07-17-2003

 

The U.S. Labor Department alleges that the trustees of the Rhode Island Laborers' Legal Services Plan failed to oversee the plan properly.

 

 

The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking to remove the trustees of a benefit plan that provides legal services to members of the Rhode Island Laborers' Union.

 

In a lawsuit filed in federal court, the Labor Department alleges that the trustees of the Rhode Island Laborers' Legal Services Plan failed to oversee the plan properly and monitor costs.

 

"The law requires those who administer employee benefit plans to make sure that every dollar of plan assets is used wisely and solely for the benefit of the plan's participants and beneficiaries," James Benages, regional director of the Labor Department's Employee Benefits Security Administration, said in a statement yesterday.

 

Named in the suit are Ronald M. Coia, business manager of the Rhode Island Laborers' District Council, and three other trustees of the legal services plan: Edward DiRissio, Michael Gammino and David Rampone.