McLaughlin takes leave of Labor Council post

Amid an investigation alleging improper bid-rigging schemes, Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin asked for and received a six-month paid leave of absence from his position as President of the New York City Central Labor Council effective September 1.
Ed Ott, who currently serves as the political director for the labor council, will take over a newly created executive director position beginning September 1.
In a letter to Dennis Hughes, New York State AFL-CIO President and the chairperson of the city's Labor Council executive committee, McLaughlin said that this was not an easy decision for him, but one he believes is in the best interests of the organization.
&#8220I believe it is vital and right to put my personal interests behind those of the council, the affiliates and the labor movement in these difficult times,” McLaughlin wrote. &#8220Most importantly, it gives the council, the opportunity to enter the upcoming political season unaffected by the issues facing me.”
After McLaughlin announced earlier this year that he would not run for reelection for his assembly seat, he came under fire for allegations that he conspired with electrical firms in bid-rigging schemes for street-lighting projects. Federal investigators seized documents at McLaughlin's Queens office in the beginning of March related to the probe, but McLaughlin has denied all allegations against him.
Ott said that the council's attention will turn to the elections and issues including immigration reform, affordable housing and other issues that affect the organization's members.