Local 98 union boss John Dougherty sentenced to 6 years in prison: 'I’m 64, I’m tired and I’m at your mercy'

READING, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — John Dougherty, former head of Philadelphia electricians union IBEW Local 98, will spend six years in prison for his conviction on federal bribery and embezzlement charges. The sentence was handed down Thursday in federal court.

“Johnny Doc,” as Dougherty is widely known, walked out of the courtroom with his usual swagger.

“I led from the front. I’m taking my beating from the front. I’m very comfortable with how I live my life,” he said. “The most complicated thing I have for the rest of the day is: I promised my wife — we watched ‘Jaws 1’ last night — we’re going to watch ‘Jaws 2’ with the shades drawn.”

Dougherty said the sentence was fair.

“He’s a fair judge. I’m the boss. When you’re the boss, everything stops with you.”

Prosecutor Frank Costello said he was satisfied with the sentence.

“We respect the judge’s opinion. We feel we achieved the goal we set out to achieve,” Costello said.

But the looming sentence is a remarkable fall for the man who built Local 98 into a political powerhouse and became kingmaker to elected city and state officials. He still commands the affection of hundreds of people who wrote letters to Judge Jeffrey Schmehl on his behalf.

Dougherty was convicted of bribing a public official and embezzling half a million dollars from Local 98. Prosecutors asked for 7 ½ years — the combined sentences of Dougherty’s co-defendants: former Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon , in the bribery case; and former Local 98 official Brian Burrows , in the embezzlement case.

The prosecution cited not only the seriousness of his crimes, but also the fact that Dougherty had never taken responsibility for them — and had attempted to intimidate potential witnesses from the union, saying anyone who cooperated with prosecutors had a target on their backs.

The defense had called four witnesses who portrayed another side of Dougherty — generous to a fault, always trying to help others. His two daughters had pleaded with the judge to consider at-home incarceration because he is the primary caregiver to their severely disabled mother, who requires 24-hour attention.

Schmehl said he balanced the serious nature of the offenses with the good work Dougherty had done for Local 98 and the community.

“Somewhere along that trip, you lost your way. You allowed 98 to be your personal piggy bank,” the judge said. “That was incredibly wrong. You turned something that was created for good and it ended up being used for illicit purposes. You must pay the price, and today is the day.”

Schmehl said he received 246 letters of support for Dougherty, and he read almost every one of them.

“You have worked tirelessly over the years to improve the community. The dual nature of your conduct makes this a particularly difficult sentence. As [defense attorney Gregory Pagano] wrote, your good work cannot be erased, but that does not absolve your illegal conduct. Other members of the Philadelphia community did good work without breaking the law, so I must follow through on the work of the juries that held you accountable.”

Dougherty addressed the judge before sentencing, saying, “I let the lines get blurred. I got in over my head and lost control.”

He apologized to Local 98 members, said he took full responsibility and concluded by saying to the court, “I’m 64, I’m tired and I’m at your mercy.”

The judge said it was a sad day for the former union boss, his wife and his family, but he said Dougherty would not have to report to prison until Sept. 4, so he could arrange for his wife’s care.