Philly Union Boss John Dougherty Accused Of Intimidation

PHILADELPHIA — Controversial union leader John Dougherty and a family member have been indicted on charges of intimidation, according to federal authorities.

Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams Wednesday said Dougherty, business leader for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, along with his nephew and fellow union member Gregory Fiocca have been accused by authorities of threatening contractors with physical and financial harm.

The pair are charged in a 19-count grand jury indictment that alleges Fiocca frequently did not show up for work for a contractor and did not do the work that was assigned to him, which led the two to threaten violence and economic harm to the contractor, as well as the contractor's owners, agents, and employees, according to authorities.

Fiocca is accused of threatening to break someone's jaw and Dougherty threatened to forbid union electricians from working overtime on the contract, pull workers from the job, or prevent the contractor from getting a larger job, federal authorities said.

As a result, as charged in the indictment, from Aug. 19, 2020 to Jan. 17, Fiocca remained employed by the contracting company, did little or no work, and continued to receive paychecks and benefits paid by the company.

If convicted of all counts, Fiocca and Dougherty face a maximum possible sentence of 380 years in prison, a $4,750,000 fine, a term of supervised release of two years, and a $1,900 special assessment.

Dougherty is scheduled to appear in court this month on accusations of embezzlement, wire fraud, and public corruption offenses.