Union Boss Rakes In Nearly $1 Million While Workers Get Pennies
Liberty Check
- New York casino union president pockets $923,053 while rank-and-file workers earn a fraction
- Union officials accused of accepting luxury gifts and defrauding members out of millions in sweetheart real estate deals
- Pattern of Big Labor corruption continues as bosses enrich themselves at workers’ expense
The head of New York’s casino union is living like a Vegas whale while workers struggle to make ends meet. And it gets worse — his top lieutenants are now accused of pocketing luxury goods and running a real estate scam that allegedly bilked members out of millions.
New York Hotel Gaming and Trades Council President Rich Maroko pulled in $923,053 in 2024, according to financial disclosures reviewed by the Center For Union Facts. That includes $313,386 in base salary, $380,108 in retirement benefits, and $229,559 from other organizations.
Under Maroko’s watch, union leadership has been accused of rampant corruption. A group of New York City hotel owners retained a private investigator last month to probe whistleblower claims of widespread “corruption, misconduct and malfeasance.”
“The whistleblower alleges union officials received free gifts of liquor, gourmet food and electronics including an Xbox and PlayStation from hotel-industry executives,”
Crain’s New York Business reported.
“The letter further alleges that union officials defrauded UNITE HERE Local 6, a Midtown-based chapter of the union, out of nearly $3 million by paying below-market rent for Eighth Avenue office space it owned.”
The New York Hotel Gaming and Trades Council is just the latest union to face allegations of profligate spending and self-dealing. In 2024, the International Longshoremen’s Association shut down East Coast ports in a strike that highlighted the astronomical compensation of union bosses.
Association president Harold Daggett became the face of Big Labor excess, with his million-dollar salary, luxury yacht, massive donations to Democrats, and alleged mafia connections.
The Center For Union Facts is spotlighting Maroko’s pay raise as unions nationwide use the World Cup to squeeze businesses for higher costs. Hotel workers in Seattle and Philadelphia have authorized strikes, as have stadium workers in Los Angeles — all timed to maximize leverage during the international event.
“Hotel workers may believe they’re receiving a World Cup windfall,”
said Charlyce Bozzello, the group’s communications director.
“But from where we sit, Maroko is the one hitting the jackpot.”
“Union members deserve transparency about the lucrative compensation package they’re being asked to fund.”
The union recently touted a new pay package for members. But even with that increase, workers still fall dramatically behind the brass. Rank-and-file members made $38.87 per hour on average in 2024 — about 570% less than what Maroko takes home.
While union bosses collect nearly seven-figure paychecks and allegedly accept luxury gifts, the workers they claim to represent are left footing the bill through mandatory dues. The pattern repeats across Big Labor: leaders enriching themselves while rank-and-file members see little benefit from their forced contributions.
Americans deserve better.
