Teamsters Indictment Links Boston Official to Extortion Scheme

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has called upon a prosecutor who helped convict “Whitey” Bulger to investigate City Hall’s apparent role in Teamsters alleged extortion of the television show “Top Chef.”

Four members of Teamsters Local 25 used “old school thug tactics” in an attempt to get no-work jobs from Bravo’s Top Chef production team, according to an indictment unsealed in Boston Federal Court earlier this week.

Also listed in the indictment, an unidentified member of Walsh’s mayoral team allegedly called a local business, stating union members would picket if they allowed “Top Chef” to film at their establishment.

No city employees were indicted, but Walsh has brought in former federal prosecutor Brian Kelly to investigate his administration’s alleged involvement, The Boston Globe reports.

Sources familiar with the investigation have identified Kenneth Brissette as the caller, according to the newspaper. Brissette currently serves as Walsh’s director of tourism, sports and entertainment.

“There are serious allegations involved here, and the city is simply being prudent,” Kelly told the newspaper.

Walsh said Kelly’s findings would not be made public.

The Teamsters members are accused of yelling racial and homophobic slurs at the film crew, threatening crew and cast members, and shouting profanities, after the show ditched plans to film at the Omni Parker House in House.