Charges brought by Local 44 Member John “Jack” Thomas against former Local 44 Secretary-Treasurer Jennings were sustained by the Local 44 Trial Board and the Local 44 Executive Board.
On April 22, 2009, a trial was held, before the Local 44 Trial Board, on a Charge brought by Local 44 member John M. “Jack” Thomas against former Local 44 Secretary-Treasurer Elliot Jennings. In his Charge, Brother Thomas, alleged that Jennings violated several provisions of Local 44's Constitution and By-Laws.
At the April 22 trial, Brother Jennings appeared and entered a “guilty with explanation” plea with the Hearing Board. After due consideration of the evidence submitted by Brother Thomas, at the April 22 hearing, and Brother Jennings’ written statements in support of his “guilty with explanation” plea, Brother Jennings departed the April 22, 2009 hearing prior to its completion and did not present any testimony or documentary evidence to the Trial Board. The Trial Board sustained the Charge in its entirety. The Trial Board also assessed the following sentence against Brother Jennings:
- A fine of $500.00 for each violation of the Local’s Bylaws as alleged in the Charge, for a total fine of $1,500.00 and which shall be payable in full within thirty (30) days from the adoption of the Trial Board’s recommended decision, and;
- that Member Jennings be barred from being appointed to, seeking nomination to or holding any elected or appointed Local 44 office and/or employment in the Local 44 office for the remainder of the present term of office and for the next three (3) successive terms of office as set by Article IX of the Local 44 Bylaws.
At an Executive Board meeting held on June 4, 2009, the Trial Board’s Decision, including the sentence imposed against Brother Jennings, was confirmed in it’s entirety. The Trial Board’s decision, subject to Brother Jennings’ right of appeal to the IATSE International President, is now final.