Ironworkers Local 701 members sentenced to federal prison time

ASSISTANT U.S. Attorney Robert Livermore told a full courtroom yesterday at a sentencing hearing of two Ironworkers that defendants Francis Sean O'Donnell and Shawn Bailey helped prosecutors discover the extent of the crimes committed by their group, who dubbed themselves the "Shadow Gang."

O'Donnell, 43, and Bailey, 34, were involved in a series of extortions that damaged the work of contractors who had not hired Ironworkers. The "Shadow Gang" would go to nonunion construction sites at night and destroy anchor bolts with sledgehammers, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

O'Donnell faced a minimum sentence of five years for his involvement in more than 10 extortions, but U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson yesterday showed him leniency for his cooperation in the investigation, sentencing him to 2 1/2 years. O'Donnell's help, prosecutors said, led to the discovery of additional cases.

"We want more people to cooperate like [O'Donnell] did," Livermore said. "If they did, the district would be a much better place."

Before being sentenced, O'Donnell told the judge that he wanted to apologize to everyone affected by his actions. He eventually was overcome by tears and returned to his seat.

Later in the afternoon, Bailey was sentenced to six months in federal prison for his role in destroying construction at a warehouse on Grays Avenue.

Baylson said sentencing Bailey - who also aided prosecutors in the investigation - to prison time was necessary despite his cooperation, calling union violence a "continuing issue in Philadelphia, which must be stopped."

Bailey told the courtroom that he was willing to accept the consequences of his actions and that he didn't want to be a "burden on society, but a part of the solution."

The head of Ironworkers Local 401, Joseph Dougherty, was found guilty on charges of racketeering conspiracy and counts of vandalism and extortion earlier this year.