The United Auto Workers’ Jimmy Hoffa: The Backstory to the Current Corruption Scandal

Richard Gosser was a national leader in the United Auto Workers (UAW) union and a contemporary of James R. Hoffa. Both men had similar backgrounds, had similar ties to organized crime, and faced similar allegations of corruption, but the results of those allegations differed dramatically. Hoffa was singled out by a congressional investigative committee, and his name became a byword for the menace of labor racketeering. After an initial period of controversy, Gosser enjoyed a reputation as a labor statesman. A comparison of their careers highlights the political nature of union corruption probes. Gosser's career also provides a historical perspective on the sources of the recent corruption scandals that have shaken the UAW.