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Johnny Doc Trial: Former union boss found guilty on embezzlement charges
As he strolled into court Thursday, former Philadelphia union boss Johnny ‘Doc’ Dougherty was found guilty on embezzlement charges.
PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty and a codefendant were convicted Thursday of using more than $650,000 in union funds for personal use, marking the second conviction federal prosecutors have secured against the long-powerful figure since a sweeping 2019 indictment.
Dougherty, who led Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for nearly three decades, was convicted of conspiracy, embezzlement and dozens of other charges by a jury after a monthlong trial. Prosecutors said he and codefendant Brian Burrows, Local 98′s former president, used the money for items including home renovations, concerts, groceries and even a cookie tray for the christening of a relative's baby.
"Over and over, again and again, he stole, he lied, and no one stopped him," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben told jurors during her opening statement in November. "He stole money from that union any time he thought he could get away with it."
The jury deliberated over several days after hearing evidence that included government wiretap recordings. One witness, Anthony Massa, reportedly testified that he oversaw thousands of dollars in improvements at the Philadelphia home of Dougherty's brother Kevin, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice. A lawyer for the justice later called the witness "an admitted liar."
"It was a complicated case" Dougherty said after the verdict. "The jury elected to believe Tony Massa, and the case was over … Everything else just fell in line."
Dougherty, 63, was previously convicted of bribery for keeping a city council member on the union payroll to help keep a tight grip on construction jobs. The former council member, Bobby Henon, is serving a 3 1/2 year prison term.
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Ex-Philly labor leader John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty on trial on federal charges of embezzling from union
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.
Defense lawyer Gregory Pagano attributed the spending to "negligence, not fraud" and said Dougherty — long a powerful player in Pennsylvania politics — believed "you have to spend money to make money."
He said his client worked around the clock for the union.
Prosecutors asked that Dougherty be taken into custody after Thursday's verdict, but U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl denied the request. He set a sentencing date in both of Dougherty's cases for March 20, the same month he's scheduled to face trial in a third case involving an extortion charge.
Dougherty and Burrows were each acquitted of three counts.
Burrows is to be sentenced on March 21.