Prison term for former Philly union boss, John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA – A once powerful union boss here has received a prison term for his role in an embezzlement scheme.
John Dougherty, 64, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment on Thursday in Philadelphia federal court, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.
He also must forfeit almost $354,000 and to pay $50,000 in immediate restitution, with full restitution still to be determined.
Dougherty was convicted of crimes committed as business manager of Philadelphia-based Local 98, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
The prosecution had requested a prison term within the sentencing range of 135 to 168 months, but defense attorney Gregory Pagano, asked for a "significant downward departure."
Pagano said the labor leader's crimes should be considered in the context of his "history of community service and charitable works," as well as "tremendous and tireless work that Mr. Dougherty did for Local 98."
Dougherty and other associates, including then-Local 98 President Brian Burrows of Mount Laurel, were accused of diverting about $600,000 in union funds from April 2010 through August 2016.
Embezzled funds paid for repairs and improvements at the participants' properties and for personal expenses, the federal prosecutor's office said.
Dougherty and Burrows also allegedly filed false reports to hide the theft of union funds and did not disclose income from the scheme on their federal tax returns.
A federal jury in December 2023 convicted both men of multiple charges.
Burrows, 64, received a four-year term last month and was ordered to forfeit almost $136,000 at a sentencing hearing Wednesday in Philadelphia federal court.
He also must pay restitution, with that amount still to be set, a court record says.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl also ordered Dougherty to pay a $7,100 special assessment.
Dougherty in November 2021 was convicted of conspiring to commit honest services fraud and seven counts of honest services fraud.
Dougherty in that case was accused of paying more than $200,000 in bribes to a Philadelphia city councilman, Robert Henon, between May 2015 and September 2016.
“John Dougherty held himself out as Local 98’s biggest booster,” said U.S. Attorney Jacqueline Romero. “But while he was backslapping his electricians with one hand, he was ripping them off with the other.
"He cheated Philadelphians, too, through his corrupt quid pro quo with Bobby Henon," Romero said.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty sentenced for role in embezzlement scheme
