Lowenstein’s Matthew Boxer Wins Summary Judgment in Favor of Health Care Worker Unions in RICO Case

Matthew Boxer, serving as co-counsel with attorneys from Bredhoff & Kaiser PLLC, secured summary judgment on behalf of three health care worker unions alleged to have violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

The Hon. Susan D. Wigenton of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey found insufficient evidence to support claims of extortion and fraud in bargaining and organizing efforts between the Service Employees International Union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and the New England Health Care Employees Union and a chain of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Care One Management LLC and HealthBridge Management LLC run local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In 2012, these facilities alleged that the unions were using sabotage, vandalism, and wire fraud as part of their organization efforts.

The judge held that the unions’ aggressive collective bargaining practices did not amount to unlawful behavior.