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The U.S. Justice Department recently charged Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National President Edward Rodzwicz with bribery in connection with a designated legal counsel (DLC).

He is charged with one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 666, bribery in connection with a federally funded program; and one violation of 18 U.S.C. section 1952, interstate travel to carry on unlawful activity. If convicted on the bribery charge, Rodzwicz would face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. A conviction on the other charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

The BLET maintains a list of DLCs, who are recommended to union members to handle injury cases under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). The union’s national president retains final authority over the designation of FELA attorneys.

According to the affidavit filed with the criminal complaint and a U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Inspector General investigation, an internal compliance committee in February recommended that a DLC for the BLET lose his designation because of alleged rules of conduct violations. On March 10, Rodzwicz allegedly approached the attorney and solicited payments in exchange for allowing him to retain his DLC designation. The lawyer then contacted the inspector general’s office.

In subsequent meetings, Rodzwicz allegedly accepted two separate cash payments of $10,000 from the attorney and allowed him to retain his DLC designation.

Late in the day on Oct. 15, the BLET announced its advisory board placed Rodzwicz on a leave of absence pending the outcome of the charges. First Vice President Paul Sorrow will serve as acting president in the interim.