Johnny Doc’s biggest fight: Why Pa.’s most powerful union boss is under indictment

The brash union boss has been the powerbroker behind a slew of Pa. politicians for years. But have Johnny Doc's "in-your-face" politics caught up with him?

Air Date: January 31, 2019

Union boss John 'Johnny Doc' Dougherty outside of his home in South Philadelphia during an FBI raid in 2016. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

For about 25 years, John Dougherty has led IBEW Local 98, the electricians’ union, which has given millions of dollars to the campaigns of political candidates. In the process, the man known as “Johnny Doc” has wielded unrivaled power and influence in Philadelphia and beyond — that is until Wednesday, when federal authorities charged him and seven others with corruption. On this episode of The Why, WHYY’s Dave Davies tells us the story of Dougherty’s rise and explains why his indictment could have ripple effects across Pennsylvania politics.

Disclosure: The Electricians Union Local 98 represents engineers at WHYY

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