In November 1953 American Federation of Labor boss William DeKoning Sr. and eight other union officials were indicted for extortion of money from building contractors in Hempstead, Mineola and other Long Island cities. The builders were forced to contribute to a union defense fund or accept the appointment of a union approved work boss for the projects they were constructing. One builder sued DeKoning's son, William Jr., for beating him up in the backyard of DeKoning's home. John Steve Yacacki's case was scheduled to be heard in court in late January 1952.