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Inquirer editorial: Is there a Philly politician the FBI isn't watching?

An FBI raid of the home and offices of electricians Local 98 boss John J. "Johnny Doc" Dougherty doesn't mean he is guilty of anything. But the fact that the Justice Department keeps finding reason to investigate a union leader with strong ties to powerful elected officials is more than a bit unsettling in a city that only weeks ago saw a congressman convicted of corruption.

John J. Dougherty briefly addressed reporters outside his Moyamensing Avenue home, saying, "Nothing's changed in this house in the last 10, 15 years . . . except the tomato plants growing in the backyard."
John J. Dougherty briefly addressed reporters outside his Moyamensing Avenue home, saying, "Nothing's changed in this house in the last 10, 15 years . . . except the tomato plants growing in the backyard."Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer

An FBI raid of the home and offices of electricians Local 98 boss John J. "Johnny Doc" Dougherty doesn't mean he is guilty of anything. But the fact that the Justice Department keeps finding reason to investigate a union leader with strong ties to powerful elected officials is more than a bit unsettling in a city that only weeks ago saw a congressman convicted of corruption.

Federal agents similarly searched Dougherty's home 10 years ago in trying to determine the source of mysterious bank deposits that they said suggested "an effort to conceal financial dealings." Dougherty was given $200,000 to renovate his home by his wife's parents, his lawyer said. Investigators responded that Dougherty's in-laws lived "paycheck to paycheck." But no charges were filed.

In addition to Dougherty's house, FBI agents executed search warrants Friday at his sister's house next door; his union offices; the Mount Laurel home of Local 98 president Brian Burrows; and the City Hall and district offices of Councilman Bobby Henon, a former Local 98 political director. Henon, a rising star since his 2011 election, earlier this year ousted Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. as majority leader.

A source told the Inquirer that the FBI's current focus was on the union's finances and its involvement in the successful political campaigns last year of Mayor Kenney and state Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, John's younger brother. Kenney spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said he had no reason to believe the investigation was related to him. Justice Dougherty provided no immediate comment.

Local 98, with Dougherty as its maestro, has orchestrated political victories for other candidates as well. Its Committee on Political Education has funneled money to secondary political action committees, which blunts the effectiveness of Philadelphia's campaign finance law. Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, the PACs may give unlimited amounts to support a candidate's election so long as there is no direct coordination with his campaign.

At one time, Dougherty seemed set on winning his own election. City Republicans reportedly considered asking him to switch his political affiliation and run for mayor on the GOP ticket in 2007. But if asked, Dougherty declined. He ran for state Senate in 2008, but lost in the Democratic primary to Larry Farnese, a Vince Fumo acolyte. Since then, Dougherty has preferred politics behind the curtains.

Too often it's what happens behind the curtains that gets Philadelphia politicians in trouble, including former Congressman Chaka Fattah, convicted in June of bribery and racketeering. Dougherty may not like that comparison. But he can't blame Philadelphians for starting to wonder if anyone involved in politics in this town can avoid drawing the FBI's attention. It would help to further reduce the role money plays in elections.