PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The prosecution is expected to officially rest its case Monday morning in the federal corruption trial of Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon and union leader John Dougherty.
Prosecutors have spent four weeks laying out in painstaking detail their theory that Henon took several actions in City Council on behalf of Dougherty and two other union leaders, because they had, in essence, bribed him.
They say Dougherty kept Henon on the electricians union payroll and provided tickets to sporting events; communications workers leader Jim Gardler gave campaign contributions; and glaziers union leader Joe Ashdale offered free windows. Testimony later revealed Ashdale didn't actually provide free windows.
Gardler and Ashdale are not charged, which defense lawyers have noted in questioning why Dougherty was treated differently in the case. The defense is expected to explore that question more thoroughly when it begins presenting its own evidence.
Prosecutors also played hours of wiretapped recordings that provided an inside look at how things get done in City Council. Some were embarrassing — as private conversations often are when exposed to public scrutiny — and there were occasional sentences or phrases that sounded potentially incriminating.
For instance, Dougherty had told Henon, "This is the only thing I've asked for," "This is the main thing I want," and, "This is why you're there." Defense attorneys, however, would recast them on cross-examination to explain them away.
The defense is expected to argue that for all the bluster and innuendo on the calls, the government has failed to make its case that anything actually criminal happened.
Dougherty has said he would like to testify, but it's not clear if his lawyer will call him to the stand.
