Hoffa Gaoled For Eight Years

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30390, 14 March 1964, Page 19

Hoffa Gaoled For Eight Years

(N-Z-PA.-Reuter—Copyright) CHATTANOOGA (Tennessee), March 12. James Hoffa, president of the Teamsters* Union, was sentenced today to eight years in prison after his conviction on a charge of trying to influence a Federal jury. He was also ordered to pay a 10,000-dollar fine.

The fine was the maximum possible, but he could have been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. The union of truck driven and other workers headed by Hoffa is the world’s biggest. Federal Judge Frank WiltJn imposed the sentence in toe courtroom where Hoffa, who is 51, and three others were found guilty last week sfter a seven-week trial. Judge Wilson sharply rebuked Hoffa seconds after Hoffa had told the Judge: “I stand here today and state I am innocent.” You stand here convicted . . of tampering with the very soul of this nation, the very foundation, the very basis of civilisation Itself,” Judge Wilson said. "Everything we call civilisation depends on the proper admin, istration of justice.” Hoffa had said that when the evidence was sifted cataxIv and coolly it would show that he was innocent. Hoffa was convicted on two counts of a Federal indictment of attempting to bribe a Federal jury at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1962 which was hearing a conspiracy case against him. As general president of the Teamsters’ Union Hoffa receives a salary of nearly

£26,000 a year and an unlimited expense account. The Judge continued bail for Hoffa and the others. Pending appeal, and asked ■toe lawyers to file motions for an appeal within the next 10 days.