PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Convicted union boss John Dougherty returned to federal court on Wednesday, where he is facing a second trial on charges that he embezzled thousands of dollars from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 labor union.
Dougherty was convicted along with former City Councilmember Bobby Henon of public corruption in 2021. The once-influential Dougherty is now facing charges that he dipped into Local 98’s coffers to pay for personal expenses.
The federal indictment says Dougherty and five others spent $600,000 of union funds on things like home repairs, restaurant dinners, honey-baked hams, groceries and Taylor Swift concert tickets.
Four of the defendants have pleaded guilty. Former union president Brian Burrows is also facing embezzlement charges.
Dougherty has maintained his innocence, saying the money was used to help union members. He said he plans to fight the charges.
A jury of six men and six women has been selected to hear the case. The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, is scheduled to begin Monday.