A former leader of a Philadelphia labor union is facing allegations of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from union members to support specific candidates in the city’s 2019 Democratic primary election. Christen Woods, a former district head of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, has been accused by state and federal authorities of misusing over $150,000 for political campaigns. Woods allegedly claimed the missing funds were used for renovation expenses at the union’s headquarters in Philadelphia, as reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.
According to official court documents, Woods submitted false bids to ensure that Tracy Hardy’s construction company, which was unlicensed and recently created, would be selected for an inflated bid to renovate a section of the union hall. The money from the construction company was then transferred to Hardy’s political consulting company, Monroe Press, to finance political activities for Woods’ chosen candidates in the 2019 Democratic primary election. Woods and Hardy allegedly used financial transactions to hide the theft from the union and to bypass Pennsylvania campaign finance laws and U.S. Department of Labor reporting requirements.
If convicted, Woods and Hardy could each face up to 20 years in prison. Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized that the law clearly outlines how unions can support candidates and campaigns, and accused the two men of deceiving a workers’ union with a complex scheme to steal money for political purposes.
Woods has denied any wrongdoing, with his attorneys issuing statements denying the charges and claiming a biased view of the situation. The charges against Woods and Hardy are the result of a lengthy investigation conducted by the FBI and Pennsylvania state prosecutors.
