McLaughlin's Tangled Life
To the Editor:

There is much more to the Brian McLaughlin story than has been revealed so far. With its antenna in the right receiving position, The Chief (Sept. 19 issue) set out the important new information that former Central Labor Council President McLaughlin cooperated with U. S. Attorney Michael Garcia on two occasions — once in September 2007 by taping Assemblyman Seminerio before his own indictment was handed down in October. This disclosure was followed by the sudden postponement of McLaughlin's sentencing, in the aftermath of a guilty plea.

One key question, is why? Was Brian in a position to dicker for a better deal to insure his follow-up testimony at Seminerio's trial? Was the U.S. Attorney shy of the press reporting Brian's deal so closely on the heels of Seminerio's arrest to want to put some time between the two events? Was there another, more innocent explanation for the delay?

There are probably many examples of cooperating witnesses who make deals before charges are preferred. Another possibility is that McLaughlin may have had a longstanding relationship with the Department of Justice that gave him a false sense of security. Perhaps he had a feeling of being protected as far as his many other transgressions were concerned?

The fact is that we are at a loss to explain his reckless behavior. Did he suffer from a multiple personality disorder? His former political director describes him as a man who led a compartmentalized life. Not once, CLC Executive Director Ed Ott reported, in the years that he knew McLaughlin, was he ever invited to his home. Was Brian enamored, as are many Americans, with the thrill of being an outlaw and never getting caught?

The best treatment of Richard Nixon's life, many would argue was Garry Wills's biography, "Nixon Agonistes," which takes a psychoanalytical approach to its subject. Who will be Brian McLaughlin's Garry Wills?

Let's remember that the former labor leader and Assemblyman was caught up in the net of investigation initiated by losing bidders in the New York City electrical contract awards. Finding no fault with how the city ran the process, the Feds attention turned through wiretaps to McLaughlin, in what must have been an afterthought.

Many in labor would prefer that a curtain of silence ring down on the McLaughlin matter. But those of us who admired his energy, charisma and dedication and are fascinated by the human condition need to know more. We can be sure that there will be many more twists and turns in this tale, before the saga of modern American labor's most-charming rouge concludes. Only the most hard core puritans among us would disagree. To them I say, take your heads out of the sand and explore every possibility of how and why a man can go wrong.

RUSS SMITH