Ex-UAW VP Ashton, who also served on GM board, charged in corruption probe

Joe Ashton, a former UAW vice president who also once sat on the General Motors board, has been charged in the federal corruption probe into the union's leadership.

Ashton faces two conspiracy charges related to wire fraud and money laundering. The charges were filed as an information, meaning he will likely plead guilty.

The move to charge Ashton, who once led the union's GM department, does not come as a surprise, as co-defendants Micheal Grimes and Jeff Pietrzyk have recently pleaded guilty for their roles. The trio was accused in a scheme related to hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks on contracts worth millions and has involved the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources, which is now slated to close. Ashton was also on the center's board.

Ashton also was on the board of GM, resigning in 2017 as questions began to swirl about the federal probe. He had joined the GM board in August 2014 after being nominated by the union’s Retiree Medical Benefits trust, which oversees the fund that pays for health insurance for UAW retirees from GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler.

A message seeking comment was left for Ashton’s attorney who is based in New Jersey, Jerome Ballarotto.

In reaction to the charges against Ashton, GM issued this statement:

“GM is deeply disturbed by Joe Ashton’s alleged criminal conduct. GM was not aware of this illegal activity until it was recently revealed by the government’s investigation, or that he allegedly continued to benefit from this conduct after the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust (VEBA) appointed him to the GM Board, a position he resigned in December 2017.”

Acting UAW President Rory Gamble, who as a UAW vice president just led contract negotiations with Ford for the union, also condemned Ashton's actions, should allegations prove to be true: “Joe Ashton’s actions, as set forth in the government’s filings, are completely inexcusable and violate UAW’s long-standing standards of conduct put in place by former leaders like Walter Reuther. The UAW remains focused on negotiating and finalizing strong contracts for our members, especially during this round of auto negotiations.”

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Ashton's charges also come as the federal government appears to be zeroing in on other parts of the UAW leadership. President Gary Jones, who has not been charged, took an unexpected paid leave this weekend shortly after being implicated in a court filing involving another UAW official in Missouri. Prosecutors allege that Jones, as UAW Official A, split up to $700,000 with the other official.

Ashton is the 13th union or company official charged in the corruption probe. 

Vickie Raymond worked at GM’s Lordstown Assembly plant in Ohio for 24 years before GM shuttered it in March. The news that Ashton has been charged, among the other UAW leaders connected to the corruption probe, feels like a double betrayal of both the union and the company, she said.

“Between General Motors and the UAW, it’s all greed, it’s all money,” said Raymond, who now works at GM’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky.  “There are no morals anymore. I hope they all go to jail. It’s disgusting. We’re all let down and sick of the corruption.”

Jamie L. LaReau contributed to this article. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com or 313-223-4272. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.