Freeman still freefalling

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has imposed a lifetime ban on Tyrone Freeman and ordered him to repay more than $1 million that it says he misappropriated.

Before his downfall, Freeman headed two SEIU-related groups: the 160,000-member United Long-Term Care Workers, in Southern California, and the 30,000-member California United Homecare Workers. The latter group represents low-wage in-home care workers, including more than 2,000 in Butte County.

SEIU President Andy Stern announced the actions against Freeman following an internal investigation. In August, the Times had revealed the ULTCW had paid Freeman hundreds of thousands of dollars to businesses owned by his wife and mother-in-law. The local also had spent lavishly on a golf tournament, expensive restaurants and other perks.

In denouncing his former protégé, Stern said in a statement, “It is tragic and unconscionable that a young leader with such great potential would violate … the trust of his members.” A criminal investigation is ongoing.