Schwartz distances herself from indicted union members

U.S. REP. Allyson Schwartz, one of seven candidates in the May 20 Democratic primary election for governor, quickly deleted a tweet and gave a political donation to charity after 10 members of Ironworkers Local 401 were indicted yesterday.

Schwartz on Dec. 4 had tweeted:

"I've always been proud to stand with the Ironworkers and am honored to have the endorsement of Local 401."

That tweet ran with a quote from Local 401 business manager Joseph Dougherty praising Schwartz "because she has consistently set out innovative solutions . . . that show she understands the needs of working families across the state."

Dougherty was one of the 10 union members indicted.

Schwartz spokesman Mark Bergman said the campaign donated to the International Association of Fire Fighters Charitable Foundation a $10,000 political contribution from Local 401.

"We take the charges very seriously," Bergman said. "If laws were broken, people need to be punished."

Meanwhile, state Rep. Brendan Boyle, one of four Democrats seeking the 13th District seat Schwartz is vacating, said he would keep $10,000 in political contributions from Local 401.

"Certainly we don't condone any of the alleged actions of a few individuals," Boyle said. "But nor do we think it's fair to impugn the reputations of the thousands of ironworkers in this local, or the tens of thousands of hardworking members of the building trades."