Fla. restaurant union parts with 2 officials amid ethics chargesFla. restaurant union parts with 2 officials amid ethics charges

MIAMI Two leaders of a hotel-restaurant workers' union in South Florida have parted with the organization after being accused of misusing funds and other ethics violations.

Jorge Santiesteban, president of Local 355 of Unite Here, resigned and Andre J. Balash, the secretary-treasurer, was barred from the union's offices for two years, according to a spokeswoman in Unite Here's New York City headquarters. Local 355 represents about 2,700 workers in unionized hotels, restaurants, banquet facilities and airline food operations in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area.

The spokeswoman said the local had been placed in trusteeship at the recommendation of the union's Public Review Board. William Granfield, president of Local 100 in New York, will serve as trustee for an indefinite period, she said.