If anyone wants to read the indictment of Donald Dougherty, the 33 pages can be found at:
http://media.philly.com/documents/doughertyindictment.pdf
Also, there is a lot of reference to IBEW Local 98 Official #1. The Inquirer is alleging that this is John Dougherty. They do refer to Official #1's Moyamensing Avenue rowhouse as his home...
From the Inquirer: "A Philadelphia electrical contractor was charged Tuesday with stealing $869,000 from a union benefits plan, bribing a bank executive, and "making illegal payments" to labor leader John J. Dougherty.
These "illegal payments," authorities said, included the sale of a house to John Dougherty for $24,000 below market value and $115,000 worth of electrical work on the labor leader's Philadelphia home.
Dougherty was not charged with a crime, but U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan said that the case remains open and that the related transactions "are still of great interest to investigators."
The labor leader, one of Philadelphia's most powerful politicians, said later that he was "very comfortable with all the transactions" he had with the indicted contractor, Donald "Gus" Dougherty, a longtime friend who is no relation."
I believe people need to
I believe people need to leave John Dougherty alone. Here is a man who brought the IBEW up to be a power broker of a union that it is now.
Working with non profits and other charitable companies, just because someone is indicted does not make them a criminal and just because someone has dealt with an indicted person does not make them a criminal either.
I think before people allude to criminal activity and behavior and possibly be guilty of libel or slander we should wait and see what happens with the trial, and be glad that we have John Dougherty representing a part of labor and people in need.
Damn It Jim, I'm a Doctor, not a lawyer!
Sorry, there is not slander when you are quoting a newspaper story, especially about someone who is obviously a public figure by any definition.
Dougherty
Mr. Krain,
Mr. Dougherty has many sycophants and yes men like you that he can count on to defend him. But make no mistake, he is part of the culture of corruption and old world politics that Philadelphia is embarassingly infamous for. Young Progressives should look forward to the day when he and the other old world fat cat politicians (inlcuding his nemeses Vince Fumo, Bob Brady, and Carol Campbell) retire for good from public service, either because of an indictment or by the will of the voters.
Sycophant
Bulworth67, you obviously know very little about John and Local 98. There are many good reasons why people stand up for him. Using blanket statements like calling them "yes men" is pretty ignorant and shallow.
But if you want to intelligently debate the facts, I'm ready whenever you are...
Sorry Jeff
You could not be more wrong about me and my knowledge of Mr. Dougherty and his sycophants. I know them all too well, in fact too much. You obviously do not know enough about him, if you believe that many of his supporters are not "yes men" and sycophants. Of course, not all of those around him fit those categories, but many do.
While John D. does a lot of good in his community, which is admirable, and I greatly prefer him to some of the other jerks in the business (read: Fumo), he unfortunately is too much like those he has stood up to, and conducts himself in the same way, thus he is not a viable progressive alternative, and must fall to an indictment or the voters if this City is to truly move forward.
Don't apologize, just do your homework
Being that I'm the IT Director for Local 98, I'd say I'm very familiar with John and the union. In advance, please take the high road and avoid calling me a sycophant...
So what, specifically, are you talking about with regard to John's conduct? I see him practically every day and I've never known him to be anything other than a stand up, decent, professional and trustworthy guy. Is he intense? Passionate? Opinionated? Sure. That's why I like him so much.
Judging him on the basis of being "progressive" or not is, again, using blanket statements to argue your point. By the way, the very definition of "progressive" has been discussed on this site in recent weeks! What I learned from reading those posts is that saying someone is good because they're progressive is like saying someone is bad because they're "traditional". It oversimplifies and generalizes the issues unfairly.
Bulworth, you obviously do
Bulworth,
you obviously do not know enough about John Dougherty, because what publically elected office does he hold?
Last time I checked he is the business manager for IBEW Local 98, President of the Variety Club, and appointed President of the RDA a member of the Port Authority, as well as Pennsport Civic Association,
Or maybe I don't know as much as you Bulworth what publically elected office has John Dougherty ran for even?
Mr. Krain: Are you saying John Dougherty is not a public figure?
If so, I'd love to see your explanation.
Sure John Dougherty is a
Sure John Dougherty is a public figure, so is Smokey the Bear, Ryan Howard, and Queen Latifah,
this does not make John Doughetty an elected official, he is not a Congressman, City Councilman, State Senator or any other office.
John Dougherty has been elected by the union electricians to represent them, he has led the Variety Club,Pennsport Civic Association, etc.
So your point is what?
Mr. Krain: It sounds like we agree then.
Your prior posts seemed to suggest you didn't think Mr. Dougherty was a public figure and thus not a valid subject for news coverage or comment. I apologize for misunderstanding.
I don't really get this
I don't really get this train of argument -- is the assumption that if someone doesn't hold or run for office they're either off-limits to discuss or somehow not a part of the political process? has anyone claimed that Dougherty is an elected official?
But it's clear that Mr Dougherty's most relevant past and present positions are former treasurer of the city committee, head of the Redevelopment Authority, and head of one of the most politically active unions in the city -- one that Mr Krain above called "a power broker." All of that makes him a powerful figure in the local Democratic party in a way that Ryan Howard sadly is not. Local party politics are a pretty big deal on this blog -- and that discussion is not and should not be limited to elected officials and candidates alone, even if they bear extra scrutiny.
A good rule of thumb -- if you publically endorse candidates for elections, or are the spokesperson of an organization that does, you are a public political figure, and can't turn around and act like any old private citizen. Like it or not, "politics" is what you are doing. I would also extend this to working for political campaigns and/or giving money. You're on the record -- and you can't complain that your actions are under extra scrutiny.
Dougherty
Krain-
Of course Dougherty does not hold elected office but you are a fool if you do not know that through his money and power as head of IBEW 98 he wields considerable influence in Philadelphia politics. And he is a POLITICIAN through and through. He has never ran for office because his supporters' goonish tactics make him a weak candidate to lead the City. But my guess is that he will eventually run for office, wouldn't you agree?
Marshall, Dougherty's tactics, in which he allows no dissent and viciously attacks anyone who dares to disagree with him, are well known. And, earlier in the mayoral campaign, anyone who new him and dared to support a different candidate for mayor was viciously attacked. Obviously, you do not about this side of him because you work for him.
Again, I personally like John Dougherty, and his charitable work and support for his family are admirable. I also admire his courage, especially in standing up to the likes of Vince Fumo.
But he reeks of dirty politics, too much like those he rails against. He is young though, and there is still time for him to change and give up the old world politics. I just don't see it happening.
I'm surprised none of the
I'm surprised none of the IBEW guys have had anything to say about Donald "Gus" Dougherty, the electrician who's been indicted in part for stealing from the union. Any thoughts on this guy? Or is protecting John Dougherty the priority now?
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The issue of theft is a big one
From the Inquirer coverage:
In all instances where "the boss" is recieving big favors from a lifelong friend and that same lifelong friend is stealing much larger ammounts of money essentially from the other dues payers, maybe the regular wire pullers should be concerned how much that boss might have drifted from the more limited goals of getting better compensation for union members and growing the membership.