IBEW Local 98's 'Johnny Doc' tells union members: 'We don't sell anyone out'

The head of IBEW's Local 98 has held his head high since FBI investigators raided his home and business, the union's Philadelphia offices and the office of City Councilman Bobby Henon, and remarks he made to hundreds of electricians ahead of a Labor Day parade show he expects his union brothers to maintain the same confidence.

According to Philly.com, John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty told the group Local 98 doesn't "sell anyone out" when addressing the extensive federal and state probe.

"I don't blink," Dougherty said. "I have no intention of blinking and you have no intention of blinking. We don't sell anyone out."

Dougherty told the crowd of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members that he is "not comfortable" and "not happy" with the investigations into the union, but added he "is not running from it and nobody else should," Philly.com reported.

The comments came a day after an extensive report indicated the union head, along with several city leaders, should be prepared for possible RICO charges.

A former federal prosecutor told Philly.com the number of sites targeted by the FBI in its raids indicate the investigation has been years in the making and that authorities are confident they'll find evidence to support their suspicions.

The union leader shrugged off allegations in early August when computers and paperwork were carried out of his South Philly home and the Local 98's Spring Garden Street offices, telling reporters nothing has changed since investigators went through his house a decade earlier.

But, as Philly.com suggests, many things have changed since the previous investigation – like the amount of clout the union has in the city and the number of allegations of union intimidation tactics. At the same time, questions still surround funds received by a company owned by Donald "Gus" Dougherty Jr. (no relation to John Dougherty), who pled guilty to various charges several years ago following accusations that financial details of work completed on the union leader's home were hidden, Philly.com said.

The union's influence in local and state elections is widely known, and Dougherty even voiced his support for Mayor Jim Kenney's soda tax – perhaps seeing the potential for Local 98 with future work around the city.

Local 98's political action committees and affiliated independent expenditure groups have distributed more than $30 million in campaign funds at the state and local levels since 2000.

But the union's backing of Kenney for Philadelphia mayor has drawn scrutiny.
Last month, Kenney's campaign committee received a federal grand jury subpoena for financial records. The mayor has said he does not believe that he or other members of his administration or campaign are targets in the federal probe.

Despite the bright light being cast on Local 98 and its political ties, Dougherty has continued with business as usual. He even made an appearance at the announcement last week confirming Philadelphia would host the 2017 NFL Draft where comments were made applauding Dougherty's efforts to bring the event to the city.

He also has the support of union members, including one retiree who told Philly.com the investigation is simply a "witch hunt."

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal