Three Ironworkers plead guilty to intimidation

Three more members of Philadelphia's Ironworkers Local 401 agreed to plead guilty Tuesday, moments before jury selection was set to begin in their trial on allegations they used threats and violence to intimidate independent contractors into offering jobs to union members.

Their decisions leave union head, Joseph Dougherty, as the lone remaining ironworker set to stand trial next month.

But he may not be the last union member to take his case to a jury. As part of their deals with prosecutors Tuesday, Christopher Prophet, William O'Donnell and Richard Ritchie all agreed to enter guilty pleas on the condition that U.S. District Judge Michael Baylson sign off on a specific sentence worked out between them and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Baylson cautioned each of the men that he could not guarantee he would accept those sentences until after Dougherty's trial. And, in at least one case, the judge signaled he was unlikely to sign off on the deal.

"I'm doubtful - to be candid - that I'm going to accept this," Baylson told O'Donnell during his plea hearing Tuesday. "I have substantial doubts about accepting this, but I'm going to wait until all the facts are in before making a decision."

Prosecutors have agreed to a six-month prison sentence followed by six months of house arrest for O'Donnell, who they described as one of the least culpable members of the union.

In fact, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Livermore said in court filings, other ironworkers considered him so ineffectual in using threats and violence to drum up work, that Dougherty plotted to have him removed as an elected union business agent.

Prophet's deal with government lawyers would send him to prison for five years and Ritchie would receive a four-year sentence, should Baylson accept their agreements.

If the judge rejects any of them, all three men could withdraw their pleas and take their cases to trial.

Source: Philly.com