HARRISBURG — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Communications Director Megan Sweeney released the following statement about 26th Senatorial District Democrat candidate John Kane’s campaign contributions from a PAC connected to Ironworkers Local 401, whose leadership was recently indicted on numerous federal charges ranging from extortion to arson.
“The people of the 26th district have big questions on whether John Kane will immediately return the $7,500 he took from Iron Workers Local 401’s PAC,” Sweeney said. “While D Team member Allyson Schwartz chose to donate her contributions and other Democrats are keeping the money, so far John Kane has chosen to hide and hope that nobody notices their $7,500 gift to him.
“Why hasn’t John Kane publicly denounced the abhorrent behavior described in the FBI indictment of the Iron Workers Local 401 leadership by returning the money? Considering that one of the alleged incidents took place in Ridley, his silence only leaves more questions about his priorities.
“It’s time for John Kane to step up to the plate and return his Iron Workers Local 401 leaders campaign contributions.”
Yesterday, the FBI released an indictment against 10 members of Iron Workers Local 401 on charges of extortion, arson, destruction of property, and assault. The acts listed in the indictment include an act of arson against a Quaker meetinghouse because the owners didn’t use union workers.
According to the 49 page indictment, “On or about August 12, 2013, defendant … organized a picket line at a construction site in Ridley which was not using union ironworkers. Defendant …the Ironworkers Local 401 members working the picket line to block the front gate so that the contractor could not deliver materials or employees to the construction site to force the contractor to hire union ironworkers.”
According to his most recent campaign finance report, Democrat John Kane received $7,500 in campaign contributions from Iron Workers Local 401. He has yet to return their financial endorsement.
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