Summary

In Chapter 4, Brand describes the role that the mafia played in unions once these groups were organized to protect workers and their rights. The Teamster Union, protecting truck drivers, was among the largest and most powerful of these unions. The mafia wanted a controlling interest in the Teamsters Union because it could be used to smuggle goods. The members of the mafia also learned they could make money by stealing union dues as well as extorting money from businesses for protection or to avoid strikes.

It was because of Hoffa’s background with the unions that he got negative attention from then-Senator Bobby Kennedy. In Hoffa’s attempt to take control of the unions from Dave Beck, Hoffa provided information about Beck’s illegal activities to a group of investigators led by Senator Bobby Kennedy. Hoffa was charged with bribery for his trouble...