The government ran a union for 30 years and nobody talks about it. Wild, right?
In a highly controversial move, the Justice Department used the RICO statute to take over the entire International Brotherhood of Teamsters, denying free speech and due process for 1.4 million union members over a 30 year period. 'Betrayal: When the Government Took Over the Teamsters Union' explores how the Justice Department violated the law and failed to protect constitutional rights of union members.
Direction
Bogdanich builds courtroom-thriller tension from dry legal docs
Acting
Forsythe's narration drips with controlled fury
Editing
Tight 57 minutes—no fat, all accusation
Director
George Bogdanich
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The RICO case stemmed from a civil suit, not criminal prosecution—allowing lower evidence standards to essentially dissolve democratic union governance.
This film arrived during a mini-resurgence of labor documentaries, yet most focused on heroic organizing; 'Betrayal' stands nearly alone in examining state power against workers.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
