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Carpenters union president resigns, citing past “mistakes”

He is the second president to resign in two years

Graham McHugh
Graham McHugh

Another carpenters’ union president has stepped down, this time over misconduct issues from his past.

Graham McHugh, who took over as president in February 2018, resigned on Friday, citing “mistakes” he made before becoming a leader at the New York City District Council of Carpenters.

“Many years ago, while working as a rank and file carpenter, I used poor judgement that resulted in a few mistakes,” McHugh said in a statement, provided by the union. “As a young man I did not immediately realize the full impact of my actions. I will forever stay committed to my brothers and sisters, however, I think it is in the best interest of myself and the NYCDCC for me to move on from my position as president.”

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Someone with knowledge of the reason for his resignation indicated that McHugh “worked off the books” — meaning that the union’s benefit funds were potentially cheated — several years ago. Additional details were not immediately available.

McHugh is the second president to resign in the past two years. Steve McInnis stepped down in February 2018 over allegations of misconduct. The union hasn’t released details on the allegations, but subsequent lawsuits against the District Council have alleged that McInnis was accused of sexual harassment.

The carpenter’s union has been under the supervision of an independent monitor since 1994. The monitor’s term was recently extended through mid-July.

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