WTOC Exclusive: ILA Local 1414 members allege financial misconduct by chapter leadership, ask for investigation

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Members of International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1414 have sent a letter to ILA international leadership, alleging financial misconduct by the local’s current leadership and requesting an immediate compliance audit and trusteeship.

WTOC Investigates obtained the letter, which was sent on October 22 and is now circulating amid the Local 1414’s election for new leadership. It’s signed by unnamed members of the Local 1414 and lists a series of allegations against 1414 leadership, including embezzlement and misappropriation of union funds, records and wire fraud, failure to present accurate financial reports and maintain complete records, unauthorized purchases and misuse of a union credit card, theft, and racketeering. The letter concludes by asking ILA international leadership to seize control of the local, launch a forensic compliance audit, and place the Local 1414 under trusteeship.

Key Allegations

• Lack of recent audits: Members say there has not been a fully executed audit in more than seven years. The last forensic audit referenced in the letter was conducted in 2020, after which reporting to members allegedly declined.
• Incomplete financial reporting: Former financial secretaries are described as having provided detailed monthly reports of receipts, expenditures, credit card and investment statements. The letter alleges current Treasurer William Robinson provides abbreviated, late and sometimes redacted reports, often months behind schedule.
• Unauthorized transfers and potential conflicts of interest: The letter names President Paul Mosley and Treasurer William Robinson as having transferred millions of union dollars to Queensborough Bank and Wells Fargo without board recommendation or membership approval. Members allege those transfers were tied to loans and transactions that benefited Mosley personally and note that Mosley reportedly holds a position on a bank board. The Queensborough National Bank and Trust Company website shows Moseley as serving on the Coastal Advisory Board.
• Nepotism and questionable contracting: In the letter, members raise concerns about family relationships among senior officers and alleges that renovation and maintenance contracts for the union hall were awarded to businesses connected to the Mosley family without the required competitive bidding process.
• Election irregularities and vote-buying claims: The letter alleges that union funds were used to pay dues for non-members in exchange for votes and that lending and bribery operations were carried out to influence election outcomes.
• Misuse of events and training: Members say revenues from large events, such as the annual union Christmas party, have not been transparently reported and that training slots and work cards have been sold or exchanged for payments.

At the conclusion of the letter, Local 1414 members request immediate intervention from ILA international leadership, including a compliance and forensic audit, preservation of financial records (bank statements, credit card records), temporary trusteeship of the local, and an independent investigation into the alleged criminal and fiduciary violations.

WTOC Investigates reached out to several people named in the letter, including Mosley. In multiple conversations with WTOC staff over the phone, Mosley confirmed the letter is real, but declined to comment further. Mosley then called WTOC to retract his confirmation of the letter, saying he didn’t know about a letter he hasn’t seen. When asked why he made those previous statements, Mosley said he didn’t know anything about a letter.

We confirmed with other Local 1414 members that the letter is authentic. We also reached out to Harold Daggett, the International President of the ILA, but have not heard back.

The Local 1414 website shows the chapter is holding elections for its leadership today until 7 p.m.