Federal prosecutors in Philadelphia are expected on Wednesday to announce criminal charges against Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the labor union’s leader, John Dougherty, closing a years-long corruption investigation into his business and personal dealings, according to federal law enforcement officials close to the probe.
Dougherty, whose mighty labor union is one of the top contributors to Democrats in races at both the state and city level, has close ties to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. Dougherty has been under investigation for more than two years by federal authorities.
In 2016, the FBI raided his home, the union’s headquarters, the South Philly bar he owns, and a number of other locations, including the office of City Councilman Bobby Henon, the union’s former political director.
Dougherty’s brother, Kevin, is a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice elected in 2015 with major support from Local 98.
Federal authorities who were not authorized to speak publicly would not confirm how many others will be charged on Wednesday, but the indictment is anticipated to include numerous defendants.
When reached by phone, Dougherty, widely known as “Johnny Doc,” said if he is charged on Wednesday, it would be news to him.
“I haven’t heard anything,” he said, mentioning that he was watching television with his wife. “Listen, nobody has told any of us as of date. No one has told me.”
Henry Hockeimer, Dougherty’s lawyer, did not return calls for comment.
On Monday, New Jersey electrician George Peltz, a childhood friend of Dougherty and the owner of an electrical contracting business, admitted…
