A law firm that investigated corruption allegations against two New York City unions, the Hotel Trades Council (HTC) and UNITE HERE Local 6 (UH6), has long-running financial and familial ties to those labor organizations, public records show.

Investigation Findings

The firm, Pitta LLP, was hired to investigate a whistleblower letter alleging a culture of quid pro quo corruption and improper gift-giving at the two unions. The firm’s review, completed in March 2026, found no evidence that the two labor organizations had broken the law.

However, some legal experts have raised concerns about the firm’s ties to the unions, which could lead to an appearance of impropriety. Between 2020 and 2025, HTC and UH6 collectively paid $11.6 million to Pitta LLP for legal services.

The firm’s leaders also share family ties with former union leaders. The father of Vincent Pitta, the law firm’s chairman, held leadership positions at the two unions, and his sister is married to Peter Ward, HTC’s former president.

Response to Criticism

Pitta has denied that the financial and familial ties presented a conflict of interest, stating that the firm charges the unions a reasonable rate for its legal services and that the relationships did not influence the investigation’s findings.

Critics of organized labor, however, have expressed skepticism about the investigation’s results, citing the firm’s close ties to the unions.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.