Ex-Philadelphia labor leader on trial on federal charges of embezzling from union

2024-12-24 09:15:59 source: category:Invest

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Longtime former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty is on trial on embezzlement charges, accused of having stolen from the union he led for nearly three decades.

Dougherty and others are accused of having embezzled more than $650,000 from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers between 2010 and 2016. Federal prosecutors allege that Dougherty spent the money on home renovations, meals, concerts and groceries for himself and his family and friends.

“Over and over, again and again, he stole, he lied, and no one stopped him,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben told jurors in her opening statement Monday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. “He stole money from that union any time he thought he could get away with it.”

She indicated that much of the government’s evidence will take the form of wiretap recordings, telling jurors they will hear Dougherty say he got away with the spending by trying to “keep it within reason so it don’t look too crazy.”

Other news Trump lashes out from the witness stand at judge, NY attorney general as he testifies in fraud trial Trump’s decades of testimony provide some clues about how he’ll fight for his real estate empire Lawyers in Trump’s civil fraud trial are ordered to clam up about judge’s communications with staff

Dougherty, 63, has denied the allegations and expressed confidence of acquittal on the more than 90 counts that include conspiracy, embezzlement, wire and tax fraud, and falsification of union records. Defense attorneys portrayed him as a hardworking leader trying to account for his expenses while working around the clock for union members.

“This is a case of negligence, not fraud,” attorney Gregory Pagano told the panel. “Negligence is not a crime.”

Pagano said the union’s success stemmed from his philosophy that “you have to spend money to make money,” and the money spent to rub elbows with business and political leaders eventually led to increased wages and benefits. But, he said, Dougherty ran the operation like a “mom and pop business” that lacked some policies around spending and credit.

Dougherty, the business manager of the Philadelphia-area IBEW Local 98 and the business manager of the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, was indicted in 2019 after a lengthy FBI investigation.

In November 2021, he and a city council member were convicted of conspiracy in a corruption trial. Prosecutors said Dougherty kept Bobby Henon, a union electrician-turned-Philadelphia City Council member, on the payroll to help his union keep a tight grip on construction jobs.

Dougherty was convicted of eight counts, including conspiracy and honest services wire fraud, while Henon was convicted of 10 counts, including conspiracy, bribery and honest services wire fraud. The Inquirer reported that Dougherty was acquitted of three fraud counts and Henon of eight fraud and bribery counts.

More:Invest

Recommend

Let Demi Moore’s Iconic Fashion Give You More Inspiration   

You only need to take one look at Demi Moore’s lengthy list of credits to see she has a stacked résu

Indicted New York City mayor could appear before a judge Friday

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City’s embattled and indicted mayor, Eric Adams, could make his initial cou

Craig Conover Shares Update on Paige DeSorbo After “Scary” Panic Attack

Craig Conover is charmed by Paige DeSorbo's vulnerability.The Southern Charm star gave an update on