Although he began a re-election campaign in 1990, a new democratic election process and the rise of a reform movement within the union led him to withdraw and retire at the end of his term.
In 1936, McCarthy stole a blank baptismal certificate and faked his birth date so he could qualify for a chauffeur's license.
Union President Jackie Presser accused him of seeking the assistance of organized crime in his election bid.
In June 1988, union president Jackie Presser took a leave of absence due to ill health.
In 1989, McCarthy negotiated an agreement which ended a United States Department of Justice lawsuit seeking trusteeship of the Teamsters union.
Each time, the union's executive board agreed to put off a vote, and McCarthy retained his office.