RANDALL BUTLER SENTENCED IN LOCAL 91 CASE

BUFFALO, N.Y.--Randall Butler, 40, of Lockport, New York, who was convicted of attempted extortion charges on April 18, 2006, was sentenced to 34 months imprisonment, to be followed by two years of supervised release, by U.S. Chief District Judge Richard J. Arcara, U.S. Attorney Terrance P. Flynn of the Western District of New York announced today. Randall Butler is the final defendant in the Office's prosecution involving members of Laborers International Union of America, Local 91 (hereinafter "Local 91").

Assistant U.S. Attorneys William J. Hochul, Jr., and Brett A. Harvey, who handled the case, stated that the charges arose from a lengthy criminal investigation conducted by a variety of federal, state, and local agencies into the activities of Local 91, based in Niagara Falls, New York. The case alleged that a total of twenty Local 91 members engaged in repeated acts of extortion at a number of construction projects in Niagara County, New York, involving dozens of victim companies and employees, over a six year period of time. The conduct for which Butler was convicted involved the bombing of non-union asbestos workers in 1997. Butler drove the vehicle that three other Local 91 members used to travel to the location to commit the attack.

The Government's investigation resulted in three trials, and the convictions of eighteen Local 91 members on charges ranging from racketeering conspiracy, to attempted extortion, the attempted destruction of an Alliant Food Service truck, and perjury. Sentences imposed by Court included a fifteen year term of imprisonment for the former President of Local 91, Mark Congi. Michael "Butch" Quarcini, the former head of Local 91, was also charged with racketeering in connection with the Government's investigation, but died prior to trial.

The prosecution was the culmination of a joint investigation on the part of the United States Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, and the Niagara Falls Police Department.