Philly Union Boss, Councilman, More Indicted In Federal Probe

PHILADELPHIA — Federal authorities have indicted several people tied to the Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, including its leader and a Philadelphia city councilman, for fraud, embezzlement, and related crimes.

IBEW Business Manager John Dougherty, Philadelphia City Councilman Robert Henon, Local 98 employees Brian Burrows, Michael Neill, Marita Crawford, Niko Rodriguez, Brian Fiocca, and local business owner Anthony Massa were all charged in a 116-count indictment fora multitude of federal crimes, including embezzlement, wire fraud, and public corruption offenses.

Authorities said these people embezzled funds from the union to benefit themselves, taking nearly $600,000 in union money for meals, trips, home improvement work, and more between 2010 and 2016

Additionally, federal officials said Dougherty put family members on the union payroll while those people were not working with the union

Henon is accused of taking money from Dougherty to advance Dougherty's personal, professional, and financial gain

Some allegations of Henon's activity on Doughery's behalf include Henon intervening when non-union labor was used to install MRI machines at CHOP, investigating a towing company that Doughtery allegedly sought revenge on, and opposed a Philadelphia Parking Authority audit at Dougherty's request

Massa, owner and operator of Massa Construction, is accused of performing work at several of the defendants' homes and falsifying documents to make it appear as though the work was done at the union"

“It’s certainly sad and disappointing that this is happening," Mayor Jim Kenney told Philly.com when"asked about the indictment. "The process will play itself out."

Dougherty, known as "Johnny Doc" and took over Local 98 in 1993, in 2018 paid the union about $280,000 amid FBI scrutiny after he used union funds to cover personal expenses and legal fees.

The indictment includes about $600,000 in forfeiture counts, as well.

Federal authorities said they are not looking to oust anyone from their leadership positions nor are they calling for resignations.

If convicted, authorities said the defendants face decades behind bars.

Pictured above is Councilman Robert Henon

Image via Philadelphia City Council