Monday, January 5, 2015

Ironworkers 'don' goes on trial in racketeering case



PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A former ironworkers boss described by prosecutors as "the don" of a violent organization goes on trial on racketeering charges Monday in Philadelphia.


A sweeping indictment accuses Ironworkers Local 401 members of strong-arm tactics against non-union contractors and rival unions.

But longtime business manager Joseph Dougherty is the only person going to trial after nearly a dozen guilty pleas.

Prosecutors say Dougherty made $200,000 a year overseeing jobs for the union's approximately 1,000 members.

A trial memo filed Friday says the union violence intensified as the 2008 recession took hold.

Several union members have admitted they took part in the 2012 arson of a Quaker meeting house being built by non-union workers.

Dougherty's defense lawyer, Fortunato Perri Jr., isn't commenting before the scheduled two-week trial.

Source: Philly.com

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