By Stephen Stirling
Originally slated to begin Monday, jury selection in Manhattan federal court was postponed until March 10 by District Judge Richard Sullivan because of scheduling conflicts.McLaughlin was charged by federal investigators in 2006 with stealing more than $2 million from city unions, nonprofits, his own campaign committee and the Electchester Little League, according to an 186-page, 43-count indictment filed by the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan. If convicted, McLaughlin, who was head of the Central Labor Council – the umbrella organization for municipal labor unions – could face decades in prison.The beginning of the trial has been repeatedly pushed off for various reasons since his indictment. Jury selection was originally slated to begin Oct. 15, after numerous delays as McLaughlin's defense team poured over evidence in the case. The case was reassigned from District Judge Kenneth Karas to District Judge Richard Sullivan in September, however, and the trial was delayed once again due to scheduling conflicts.Sullivan issued an Oct. 9 order setting trial date that required McLaughlin to appear in federal court in Manhattan Monday, before the most recent postponement was announced. In June, Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Braun hinted at the possibility of a settlement, saying “we still have a lot to talk about with the defense in terms of whether [a trial is] going to be necessary.” However, both the prosecution and the defense have said little since the late-spring conference.McLaughlin has kept busy in the meantime, working as an electrician on at least one Manhattan building site for Flushing-based Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, a union he once headed.Reach reporter Stephen Stirling by e-mail at Sstirling@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
