In minor defense of Johnny Doc, ex-con, ex-Dem leader

Disgraced Philly union/Democratic Party leader John Dougherty is a free man today.

If you know me, you know my North Star is Obey the Law. I am a law and order guy, and crimes must be punished.

With that said, after his conviction for disgracefully stealing $600,000  from his own union, jail time was appropriate. The question: How much?

I was never convinced of the conviction for bribing Councilman Bobby Henon. Bobby was loyal to IBEW Local 98 and would take its side in any battle. For free.

With all that said, before Johnny Doc was sentenced, I wrote a leniency letter to the judge, reporting some facts His Honor probably did not know, and you probably don’t know either — such as his extraordinary efforts to help the homeless, handicapped children, gays, and more.

Great Philadelphia lawyer George Bochetto (a Republican) explained this to President Donald J. Trump, who commuted the former Democratic official’s sentence.

Here is the letter:

Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl

Gateway Building, Suite 518

201 Penn Street

Reading, Pa. 19601

June 20, 2024

Re: John Dougherty

Dear Judge Schmehl:

I am writing this character reference for John Dougherty, whom I have known for some 40 years. I am not here to exonerate him for the crimes for which he has been convicted. I am here to present information about the “other” John Dougherty, the man who has embraced and supported charities serving children, gays, the homeless, the powerless.

First, my connection to him as a journalist: As the leader of Local 98, and as a leader of the local Democratic party, he was always reachable, and transparent, unlike some of his peers. He seemed to understand the importance of a free press, even when adversarial.

As a veteran columnist with the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer, I had an understandable arms-length professional relationship with him. 

However, I also had a personal relationship with him, during my 25 years as a member of Variety, the Children’s Charity. During those years, John Dougherty was president on three different occasions.

In 2009, the charity fell into a death spiral after the Great Recession. It was in a $5-million hole, almost impossible to climb out of.

John Dougherty returned for an unprecedented third term as  president. There was nothing in it for him except risk — he could have been in the cockpit when the charity crashed and burned.

He reached out to his friends, he called in some chits and probably wrote some others, and he single handedly saved the charity that went on to offer services to hundreds of children living with disabilities.

John Dougherty gave an awful lot of his time to Variety, but it was not alone. Through Local 98, which he led since 1993, he showered financial and manpower support on many other charities.

One charity he adopted early on was Sister Mary Scullion’s Project Home, and was instrumental in the launch of Kairos House, a homeless residence.

John Dougherty was a proven and tested friend of the gay community. Under John Dougherty’s leadership, “Local 98 electricians volunteered hundreds of hours” working on various LGBT projects, I was told by Chris Bartlett, executive director of the William Way Center.

Union volunteers also contributed mightily to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, I was told by co-executive director Jay Scott. In addition to an annual donation, Local 98 volunteers raised money during the annual telethon. 

Pastor Buddy Osborn told me Local 98 apprentices pitch in at Rock Ministries that operates in Kensington, ground zero of the opioid epidemic. 

“He’s been here since Day One,” Osborn said. “It’s amazing. He never looks for anything in return. I’m always impressed that there are no cameras, no publicity.” 

Because of John Dougherty’s deep belief that unions must be helpful to their communities, other charities found that when they needed help with electrical work, or masonry, or plumbing, a call to Johnny Doc brought results, no questions asked, no payback requested.

His efforts have made many lives better, and easier, and probably saved some.

I request that you keep the “other” John Dougherty in mind as you determine sentencing.

Thank you.

Stu Bykofsky

Daily News/Inquirer columnist (retired)